Taliban to shift base to Afghanistan if Pak Army launches N.Waziristan operation

MIRAMSHAH - Amid increasing US pressure on Pakistan to act swiftly against terrorist sanctuaries in its tribal areas along the Afghan border, the local Taliban council has declared that the militants will move into Afghanistan if the army launches an operation in North Waziristan.

“If the army starts another operation we will migrate to Afghanistan,” The Dawn quoted a pamphlet purportedly distributed by the Mujahideen Shura of North Waziristan in Miramshah bazaar, as saying.

“But this will lead to an unending war in the region and jihad will continue,” it added.

The Taliban would ask Afghan President Hamid Karzai to provide shelter to their men if the army launched an operation in North Waziristan, said the pamphlet.

The Shura said that despite a few incidents, which would be investigated, the Taliban would not violate the peace agreement signed with the government in 2007.

However, it added, there was a possibility that the government would launch an operation against them because of the two-billon-dollar military aid recently promised by the United States.
While it urged the people to remain prepared to cope with such a situation, it also warned the government against setting up committees against the Taliban.

“If the government launches an operation for the sake of money, the people of Waziristan will collect $2 billion,” the pamphlet said. (ANI)