10 PTM activists, including Wazir’s cousin, injured in the attack
PakistanToday: At least 10 people were injured and two suspected Taliban militants were killed in an attack on activists of Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), including Ali Wazir and his cousin, in Wana, leading to curfew being imposed in the area.
The injured were shifted to Agency Headquarter Hospital Wana for medical treatment where they were declared to be out of danger.
According to reports, differences between the two parties developed on Saturday when pro-government militant leader Ain Ullah Wazir forcefully snatched caps from PTM activists and set them on fire. Following the incident, Ali Wazir had condemned the act and called for a sit-in protest from Monday.
The militants retaliated and attacked the Mirzalam Khan Wazir Market and the nearby petrol pump, owned by Ali Wazir. However, before the attack, they went to Ali Wazir’s home, armed with guns, and asked him to leave the area of quit PTM. The PTM leader refused to do so. The attack on the market was foiled by a large number of PTM activists and relatives of Ali Wazir who assembled there to resist the militants. The militants opened fire at the activists, injuring at least 10 people.
Pakistan Army, however, soon reached the site and in the retaliatory fire, killed two militants, a source told Pakistan Today. After the attack, people started pouring in from nearby areas and the locals surrounded the offices of Taliban until the security forces intervened to contain the situation. Taliban leader Ain Ullah Wazir fled the area after the attack, leaving two vehicles behind.
Frontier Crops personnel attempted to rescue the militants, who are part of the Peace Committee established under an agreement between the government and the local Ahmadzai tribesmen in March 2007. Mullah Nazir was commander of the Taliban back then. Mullah Nazir, also known as Haji Nazir, was killed in a US drone attack couple of years ago but the group still exists with full government support.
It is pertinent to mention here that the pro-government militants and their commanders are allowed to possess arms and exhibit them in public whereas common tribesmen are not allowed the same. Even the families that face threats are not allowed to keep arms for self-defence.
No official statement was issued regarding the clash till the time of filing of this report and the security forces had been successful in restoring peace in the area.
Security forces offered protection to Ali Wazir but PTM activists refused, citing lack of trust and continued guarding his properties themselves. The Taliban, however, remained inside their compound, which is also established on the property snatched from Ali Wazir’s family.
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