PESHAWAR, May 9: Differences have cropped up among the leaders of Adezai Qaumi Lashkar over the deployment of law-enforcers in their area, raising fears that their adversary, the Taliban, may exploit the situation, police sources say.

An official said that Dilawar Khan, who heads lashkar, and his deputy Fazal Malik were not ready to accept each other's leadership any longer.

“Most of the policemen and Frontier Constabulary personnel have been deployed near the residence of Fazal Malik but Dilawar Khan wants them to perform duty according to his wishes,” he added.

The differences had been simmering between their two clans since the former head of the lashkar, Haji Abdul Malik, was killed in a suicide attack in 2009, he said. Some local elders resolved the issue and Dilawar was made head of the peace body.

The official said that both the top leaders of the anti-Taliban body had developed differences over raids and arrest of people in different areas. Besides, he said, political affiliations also caused differences between them as Dilawar belonged to Pakistan Muslim League -Q and the other group was associated with Awami National Party.

Dilawar Khan, when contacted, said that night duties were mostly performed by his own men as he had only four policemen under his command while FC and maximum policemen were deployed near the residence of Fazal Malik.

He said that his people were performing night duties as Taliban were sending threats to them every day by telephones and they could attack his residence anytime.

“I have to remain alert but the government is not supporting me,” Mr Khan complained. He said that police within its resources were extending support to anti-Taliban volunteers but the issue was so serious that it needed proper allocations of funds and deployment of law enforcement agencies in the sensitive areas.

He said that he had already conveyed his reservations to the officials concerned and apprised them of the current situation.

He said that people had attached great expectations with anti-Taliban volunteers but they would not be able to come up to the expectations unless all policemen and FC in the area were given under a single command.

He feared if his suggestions were not taken serious the peace body would be unable to protect schools, power pylons and buildings.

Fazal Malik, when contacted, denied that he had any differences with Dilawar Khan and said that main issue was deployment of police in the area. He said that one platoon of FC and six policemen had been deployed there but the number was insufficient to cover the entire area.

“Yes, one platoon of FC has been deployed near my residence but 12 of them are head-constables, who are not ready to perform the duty of constables,” he said. He added that there were only six constables in the platoon and they could cover only three entry points.

Mr Malik said that about 30 members of his family, including some leading commanders of the lashkar, had been killed and the remaining were performing duties but most of them were underage. He said that efforts were made to plug all the entry points but it was impossible owing to shortage of manpower.

“I have covered my area but night patrol with existing number of police is impossible,” he said.