A curfew has been imposed in an area bordering the Taliban stronghold of Waziristan ahead of a military operation there, officials say."It's 9 o'clock! Time for bed, curse you!"
Pakistan's army and paramilitary forces have deployed troops in the semi-tribal area between the northern Bannu district and Waziristan. "We have imposed an indefinite curfew," local police in Bannu told the BBC.
Waziristan is controlled by Taliban militants and is said to be where al-Qaeda leaders have found safe haven. The tribal region has been described by US officials as "the most dangerous place on earth". It is said to harbour some of the world's most wanted men including al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and his deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri.
Ayman, probably. Binny I think is in Chitral, when he's not traveling.
Bannu shutdown
Police told the BBC that they had imposed the curfew in six of the 12 police station districts in Bannu. Local authorities there have sealed also businesses and properties belonging to members of the Janikhel and Bakakhel tribes. "The entire region has been sealed off from all sides. Most of the locals have already left the area and gone to their relatives in Lakki Marwat and Bannu," he said.
Taking with them, likely, the bad guy head cheeses and leaving naught but cannon fodder and Uzbeks for the coming operation.
Local officials said the military was waiting for the arrival of helicopter gunships before launching the operation.
"Just you wait until the gunships get here! You'll be toast!"
The army's move comes days after dozens of college students and teachers on their way to Bannu were kidnapped in North Waziristan. Security sources earlier told the BBC that the operation in the Janikhel and Bakakhel area is a prelude to a larger operation within the Waziristan tribal region.
"They're really gonna get it this time, by Gum!"