WANA (South Waziristan), Feb 3: Tribal militants on Friday warned the government of ‘dire consequences’ if it did not release a Turkish militant arrested last month. The warning was carried in pamphlets purportedly distributed by the Mujahideen-i-Qabail (Tribal Mujahideen) in Wana. The pamphlet described Hafiz Yousaf Hassan as “a pious Muslim and a true jihadist”.

“Hafiz Yousaf’s arrest proves yet again that the United States cannot tolerate jihad and is using the Pakistan government to achieve its goals,” it said.

“The consequences will not be good if Muhammad Yousaf is not released forthwith,” the pamphlet said, without elaborating on the kind of action contemplated against the government.

It also urged Muslims to stand up and wage a jihad against the United States.

Hafiz Yousaf, 22, was arrested by paramilitary forces during a snap check the Pak-Afghan border. He was later handed over to the security agencies for interrogation.

Little is known about the Turkish national but tribesmen from the area said that he carried tremendous clout and was associated with the group of local militant commander, Maulavi Muhammad Omar.