WANA, June 20: Increased activity of local 'mujahideen' was seen in Azam Warsak on Sunday, fuelling speculation of renewed violence in South Waziristan. Over a hundred tribal militants were seen moving about Azam Warsak, about 15km to the west of Wana, the regional headquarters.

This was the single largest concentration of militants in the area three days after the death of top militant Nek Muhammad in a missile attack last week. The militants are yet to choose Nek's successor but local mujahideen said they would choose their new commander sometime later this week.

Two names are being cited in this regard. One is Nek's first cousin, Allah Noor, a 40-year-old former Taliban fighter, and the second is Muhammad Khan, also a veteran of Afghanistan whose house on the border with Afghanistan had been searched by American forces.

South Waziristan was relatively quiet on the third day of Nek's death when relatives and friends gathered at his village, Kaloosha, on Sunday to offer fateha for the departed soul.

Speaking on the occasion, Nek's uncle Muhammad Sadiq said the family was proud that they had produced a martyr. "We are happy. We are not sad," he said. "Nek had chosen the right path and we all must endeavour to follow in his footsteps," he said.

In Wana, the security forces searched the madrassah of Maulana Noor Muhammad, a former MNA and teacher of the late Nek Muhammad. Witnesses said the security forces searched the tunnels leading out of the Darul Uloom, South Waziristan, which were used by female students to come to the female section from the nearby Mughalkhel village.

Meanwhile, the economic blockade slapped on Ahmadzai Wazir tribe as a punishment for its inability to flush out foreign militants entered its 21st day on Sunday. The situation has increased the hardship of people at large, with farmers being the hardest hit.

With not outlet open, farmers are worried about their tomatoes and apricots. Tomato price has slumped to a rock bottom Rs1 per kilo locally and farmers are dumping their apricots that are sold at Rs15 per crate.