A marked increase has been witnessed in the number of coalition forces in eastern Afghan provinces to hunt down al-Qaeda and Taliban elements believed to be hiding in the border areas between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Local tribesmen, who are able to move both sides of the Durand Line, claimed of the unprecedented movement of the US and other allied forces in Barmal area of Paktika province of Afghanistan during the week. Dozens of helicopters are hovering over the area day and night, which sends signals of fear and uncertainty among the tribesmen living on both sides of the divide.
| "A helicopter! Two helicopters! Oh, Mahmoud! I feel so fearful! So uncertain! Oh, hold me, Mahmoud!" |
The search for suspected terrorists has been increased in Nawey Ada, Macha Dad Kot, Shakin and Gomal areas of Paktika province and local tribesmen are also subjected to body search while using the access roads in the area.
| "Kevin! You got any more rubber gloves?" |
It has been learnt that as many as 60 containers have been shifted to the area to be used for residential purpose. A number of fresh US and allied forces, eyewitnesses said, have been moved to the area, where a major operation is likely to be launched any moment to comb the mountainous region for Osama Bin Laden and his other top lieutenants.
In another development, some mysterious armed persons issued warnings to barbers and music shopkeepers in Azam Warsak and Rustam Bazaar area of South Waziristan agency on Friday not to shave beards of the people or sell cassettes or videos in the area, which is against the teaching of Islam.
| "Mysterious armed persons"... Oh, who could it be? |
"Those who shaving people’s beards would face death and those selling cassettes would be taken to task as well," the armed persons onboard two pick ups warned the shopkeepers in the Pakistani border areas. However, Assistant Political Agency Wana, Headquarters of the agency, Rehmatullah Wazir denied that any such incident has taken place.
| "Nope. Nope. Never happened. But to be on the safe side, don't shave anybody's beard, okay? And dump the music." |
But local barbers and music centre owners have closed down business and sought security of life and property from the authorities. It was learnt that the armed persons manhandled some of the shopkeepers after they reportedly showed some resistance to close down shops. The armed persons also smashed the mirrors inside the barbers’ shops and collected hundreds of cassettes terming them un-Islamic, local tribesmen informed. |