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| India-Pakistan |
| Mardan authorities seek additional force to counter Taliban |
| 2008-01-29 |
| Mardan District Nazim Himayutullah Mayar said on Monday that Talibanisation had become a challenge for the Mardan district administration, which has sought additional force and logistic support from the provincial government to counter militancy. Talking to Daily Times, the mayor of the city said, “The district administration has sought additional force and equipment to counter militant activities.” “Threatening letters to girl schools, NGO offices and CD/video centres in the city and its suburbs have been a common practice of militants. But on January 24, they attacked a vehicle of Caretaker Health Minister Syed Kamal Shah at Bakhshali when he was returning to the city after visiting a basic heath unite in a village,” Mayar added. The caretaker minister, belonging to Mardan, escaped unhurt, however, his guard Hazrat Mohammad suffered serious injuries. Militants arriving via Kohi-Barmol Hills: Shamozai Union Council Nazim Mohammad Saeed Khan said militants were arriving in Mardan via Kohi-Barmol hills bordering the Swat valley and hiding in these hills, while police were unable to deal with them. “Numerous DVD shops and several schools were bombed recently and principals of some girl schools have received threatening letters. The district administration has been asking for assistance to counter the Talibanisation but the provincial government is yet to take measures to this end,” Saeed Khan |
| Posted by:Fred |