The South Waziristan Agency administration’s demand that those involved in the recent suicide attack on a security forces’ convoy be handed over to the authorities will not affect the negotiation process between the Taliban and the government, Brigadier (r) Mahmood Shah, former FATA security secretary and expert in Afghanistan and Tribal Areas affairs, said on Monday.
“The attack against the security forces occurred in South Waziristan whereas the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s high command is based in North Waziristan,” Shah told Pakistan Today.
The South Waziristan political agent had convened a jirga on Sunday and had asked the elders to hand over those who had attacked the security forces on October 11 to it.
During the jirga, where tribal elders and members of traditional peace committees were also present, the political agent said the attack occurred in Mehsud dominated areas, therefore, the tribe was responsible for fulfilling its territorial responsibilities.
Under the territorial responsibilities, the tribesmen are bound to either take action against the wanted men on their own or hand them over to the administration.
The Ansarul Mujahideen, through spokesman Abu Baseer, had claimed responsibility for the attack on the security forces convoy, which was on way to Shakai valley from Wana.
Two security forces personnel were killed, five were injured and three vehicles were damaged in the attack, which according to Baseer was carried out to avenge the assassination of Maulvi Sangeen in a US drone attack in North Waziristan.
Brig Shah said the writ of the state had already been restored in South Waziristan and all internally displaced persons had been repatriated. “On such grounds, the tribesmen are responsible for meeting their territorial responsibilities under the existing laws.”
