MIRAMSHAH, Oct 24: In a surprising development, the local Taliban council has said that militants will move into Afghanistan if the army launches an operation in North Waziristan.

A pamphlet purportedly distributed by the Mujahideen Shura of North Waziristan in Miramshah bazaar on Sunday said that the Taliban would ask Afghan President Hamid Karzai to provide shelter to their men if the army launched an operation in North Waziristan.

“If the army starts another operation we will migrate to Afghanistan.

“But this will lead to an unending war in the region and jihad will continue,” the pamphlet said.

The shura said that despite a few incidents, the Taliban would not violate a peace agreement signed with the government in 2007. It said incidents would be investigated

However, the pamphlet said, there was a possibility that the government would launch an operation because of the $2 billon military aid promised by the US.

It urged the people to remain prepared to cope with the situation.

“If the government launches an operation for the sake of money the people of Waziristan will collect $2 billion,” the pamphlet said and warned against setting up committees against the Taliban.