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Returning jihadis tell Afghan ordeal Islamabad |By A Correspondent | 30-11-2001

A groundswell of resentment has emerged in Pakistani tribal territories against a fundamentalist leader who took thousands to Afghanistan to fight for the Taliban and left them stranded, residents said yesterday.

Soofi Mohammad, head of Tehrik Nifaz Shariah Mohammadi (TNSM), was arrested and jailed when he returned from Afghanistan after the rout of the Taliban militia, leaving his men behind. Scores of the tribesmen were reportedly killed inside Afghanistan and more than 2,000 were still missing.

Thousands others were lucky to escape and return home, badly shaken by the ordeal. "We were robbed of our arms, money and other belongings but were allowed safe exit," said volunteer Abdus Samad Khan, who arrived back from the eastern Afghan province of Kunar.

"The Taliban suddenly withdrew. We did not know what to do and where to go. It was a terrible situation. We walked all the way for many miles without food and water and entered Paksitani territory," he said.

People in border area of Timergah in Pakistani district of Dir have held demonstrations over the past two days against Soofi Mohammad, who has been jailed for three years along with dozens of his followers.

"There is widespread anger against Soofi Mohammad in the tribal territory as people hold him responsible for the ignominy and suffering caused to the volunteers," said a resident. People have put up posters condemning the TNSM leader, who had rallied the tribesmen for jihad in Afghanistan.

"The events in Afghanistan have turned popular feeling against Soofi Mohammad," another resident said. Authorities in the area said Taliban's humiliating debacle and the tribulations of the volunteers inside Afghanistan had badly dented Soofi Mohammad‚s religious charisma.

"He is behind bars but there is no reaction in tribal area. In the past he created serious law and order problems in his campaign for enforcement of Shariah law but could not be arrested for fears of violent protests," the official said.

Pro-Taliban sentiment had steadily grown in Pakistani tribal areas, as Mullahs devoutly preached a Taliban-like revolution. "Taliban collapse has stopped the wave of Talibanisation that was sweeping our tribal region," remarked one official.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2001

Answers

Most excellent news. The Taliban betrayed many of these men with their cowardly behavior.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2001