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Militants threaten residents to vacate Peshawar neighbourhood
PESHAWAR: A pamphlet, attributed to the banned Lashkar-i-Islam (LI), was distributed in a neighbourhood of the Khyber Pakhtunhwa capital threatening residents, mostly Shia Muslims, to vacate the area in the next ten days, police said on Tuesday.
Residents of Pahari Pura’s Manzoor Colony were warned of serious consequences failing to follow the militants warning.
The threatening pamphlet, with letter head of LI chief Lutfullah, said that the militant outfit’s shura (council) has decided to act against the colony, without elaborating what caused to offend it.
Lashkar-i-Islam – a Bara-based militant organisation in Khyber tribal region led by Mangal Bagh – was banned in 2008.
Police said they have launched an investigation to ascertain the pamphlet’s authenticity. They said police contingent has been increased with more patrolling in the area.
A local cleric in Bara, Mufti Munir Shakir formed the Lashkar-i-Islam in December 2004 after Sipah and Malikdinkhel tribesmen announced their full allegiance to him. However, the cleric was expelled from Bar Qambarkhel area after only six months owing to his extremist views and differences with Haji Namdar, another militant commander of the area.
Both Mufti Munir Shakir and Pir Saifur Rehman were forced to leave Bara after a jirga of local elders gave a consensus verdict following bloody clashes between the supporters of the two in early 2005. Mangal Bagh, a bus driver-turned-militant was elevated to the position of amir (chief) of Lashkar-i-Islam in May 2005.
Pakistani security forces demolished the house of Haji Rabat and destroyed the FM radio station set up in a mosque after they started the first military operation against Lashkar-i-Islam in mid-2005.
Comments (9) Closed
So, what do we do now? Pack up and leave? My niece was in Afghanistan and she mentioned over there, the Talibans would issue similar warnings and people would abide by them! Are we expected to do the same or will our military and leaders finally say ENOUGH! You cannot come into our country and dictate to us as to who should live where! It is almost as bad as in the middle-east, where the Palestinians are being driven out of their homes by the Israelis. If nothing is done to stop that, I strongly believe there is no hope left, unless our people take a stand and demand our government to do something!
Let them come, and people will take a stand. There is no other way.
What do you expect from our military who are afraid to roam around in coveralls or uniforms because someone might walk upto them, hug them, and the end
I bet the government will provide buses and carts for people to move.
Clearly evident that peace process is moving forward.
Members of the Laskar-i-Islam, please wait for a while; our governemnt is going to consider for having a referendum in this respect.
@Agha Ata: Government of Pakistan is sleeping. So it's a humble request to you all that please don't make noise here Thank You,
The way terrorists send threats to these local residents, it looks as they consider them minority migrated from some other country.
Militancy is the most profitable business these days.If one can not earn one's livelihood by driving a BUS float a militant group,The government will negotiate with you, the amount one needs for comfortable living.Shouting SHARIah is the best slogan these days,as we all fall for this..