October 31, 2001	Wednesday	Shaba'an 13, 1422

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KHAAR, Oct 30: Amir of the Tehrik-i-Nifaz-i-Shariat Muhammadi, Maulana Sufi Muhammad is expected to return to Bajaur from Afghanistan on Wednesday as thousands of his armed supporters camp out for permission to cross over and fight alongside Taliban.

The Governor of Afghanistan’s eastern Kunar province, Maulavi Abdur Rauf Khuddam told Dawn that Sufi Muhammad had held talks with Maulavi Kabir, the Governor of Nangrahar. Khuddam, however, refused to divulge details of the meeting.

He said that Sufi Muhammad would give details of his meetings upon his return to Bajaur on Wednesday.

Over eight thousand armed TNSM activists are still camping out in several villages of the Mamond border area with Afghanistan.

These people have been divided into several groups of thirty to forty among the local population and mosques and are being looked after well.

The TNSM activists, led by their amir, had left their native Dir district of Malakand division last week to cross over into Afghanistan and fight in support of the ruling Taliban.