Simultaneous attacks on the offices of pro-government peace committees supporting commander Maulvi Nazir will lead to “serious consequences” for Baitullah Mehsud, officials and tribal elders said. Baitullah is being chased by the government for his alleged involvement in the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto. “Anyone who is from the Mehsud tribe is leaving Wana following the late Sunday night attacks in which ten comrades of Maulvi Nazir were killed,” the officials told Daily Times. “The current situation will help the government and endanger Baitullah Mehsud’s life,” the officials said. Maulvi Nazir’s men retaliated and killed a Mehsud Talib and captured four others hours after the attacks.
A Mehsud tribesman said that there was tense situation for non-Wazir residents in Wana where announcements were being made via loudspeaker-mounted vehicles asking the Mehsuds to “leave the Wana soil. Most Ahmedzai Wazirs believe the attacks were orchestrated by Baitullah Mehsud and that Maulvi Nazir people can retaliate.”
Separately, Nazir summoned a meeting of elders of his clan on Wednesday to discuss the situation after the killings, his aides told AFP. The Mehsud tribe also held a meeting and decided to send a delegation for talks with aides of Baitullah Mehsud, local administration official Khaista Rehman said.