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| India-Pakistan |
| Fazlullah warns government against military action in Swat |
| 2007-10-20 |
| Rebel cleric Maulana Fazlullah warned the government on Friday against making the “mistake” of launching a military operation in Swat district against militants. The warning from the defiant cleric comes a day after a report that military build-up indicates a possible operation against the pro-Taliban militants in the district. “We will give a befitting answer. We are peaceful citizens. We have picked up arms for our own defence and protection and not against the law and order or the government,” Fazlullah told a news conference at his headquarters in Iman Dheri. “We will sacrifice our lives to maintain peace in the region,” he added. Fazlullah, who is known as “Maulana FM Radio” since he operates an unlicensed radio station to spread his message, said, “[My followers and I] have only protested verbally against the Lal Masjid operation, and have not given it a practical shape.” To a question, the cleric said he was running the radio channel to broadcast Quranic teachings, and if any one tried to close it down, a jihad would be launched against them. He said he had established a volunteer force to maintain law and order in the district and gave Islamic sentences to criminals through Shariat courts. He said that he wanted to hand over murder suspects to the district administration but it refused to take them into custody. |
| Posted by:Fred |