May 22, 2007	Tuesday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 05, 1428

KOHAT, May 21: The bodies of six Taliban killed in clashes in Afghanistan arrived here on Sunday via Kurram Agency and were sent to their native Spinwam town in North Waziristan on Monday.

The bodies were buried in the presence of Taliban sympathisers from Zargari area of Hangu district. Zargari is a ‘no-go area’ for police because of the presence there of a large number of local Taliban and fugitive criminals.

A few days earlier the body of another Taliban activist Javed had been received by his relatives in the town.

He provided logistic support to his companions who had arrived from Afghanistan in 2005.

An official said that “North and South Waziristan are safe havens for Al Qaeda and Taliban and talks are continuing between local elders and militants’ representatives.”

After the arrival of Javed’s body, intelligence agencies picked up several members of his group, including Maulvi Nasrullah, Maulvi Zabiullah, Abdur Rehman, Aziz and Matiullah.

There are 400 to 500 foreigners living in homes and seminaries in the area, and only a few of them have their families with them.

The militants, the official said, had resurfaced in Waziristan and they were roaming freely in different areas.