A cleric with strong links to outlawed terrorist group Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM) was allowed bail on Monday after the submission of surety bonds of Rs 50 million and guarantees of 15 "influential people" of Shangla district to the authorities.Official sources said Maulana Ahmed, prayer leader at the main Besham mosque, had been in detention since November 18, 2009.
Under the terms of the release, the cleric will report to the military camp in Besham on the 14th and 28th of every month and will need prior permission if he wishes to go outside Shangla district. Maulana Ahmed is believed to be a close aide of Sufi Muhammad, father-in-law of Swat Taliban chief Mullah Fazlullah, and was the TNSM vice-president in Shangla.
His bail follows his criticism of Fazlullah's activities in Swat and his declaration of suicide attacks being contrary to Islamic teachings. Speaking on the occasion of handing over Ahmed to local elders, Commanding Officer Col Asif said the security situation in the region deteriorated when a handful of people tried to enforce their brand of Islam on others.