The Hindu, March 12, 2006
120 tribal elders killed, says Pakistan
B. Muralidhar Reddy
ISLAMABAD: Amid reports that the military and para-military forces on Saturday killed around 30 foreign militants and their local supporters in Wazirtistan bordering Afghanistan, Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Sherpao told the National Assembly that over 120 pro-government tribal elders had been killed since the latest battle with the militants had flared up on March 3. He was responding to a point of order raised by a member in the National Assembly session. A local cleric had declared jehad (holy war) on March 1 after which a camp and a telephone agency were occupied on March 3, he said.
Maulana Naik Zaman, member of the National Assembly from North Waziristan, earlier said about 500 citizens had been killed and the conditions were still grim in the tribal region. He said the people were loyal to Pakistan and called the Government and the Interior Minister to avoid creating such circumstances that could push them to fight with its own people.
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Maulana Fazlur Rahman challenged the Minister to come out with any name of a foreign national killed in the operation. He said U.S. gunship helicopters were being used in the area.
"We will protest against the operation conducted in the name of maintenance of law and order," he said. "We however are prepared to cooperate if the Government needs our help."
According to Director General of the Inter Services Public Services Shaukat Sultan, around 30 foreign militants and their supporters were killed as troops using helicopters destroyed their hideout in a remote tribal town.
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