By Shaheen Buneri
MINGORA: Security situation in the scenic valley of Swat has touched the lowest ebb as supporters of hardliner religious cleric Maulana Fazlullah has taken control over Kabal and Matta Tehsils of the district.
Eye witnesses say that the whole area is in the grip of violence and reportedly bodies of beheaded security personnel are lying in different areas of Tehsil Matta.
Siraj-ud-Din, commander of Taliban militia and spokesman of Maulana Fazlullah has confirmed that his supporters have abducted 13 security personnel and killed (beheaded) 12 more in different areas of upper swat.
When contacted the government authorities did not confirm killing of 12 security personnel, however the local police say that two of their men are missing.
On Saturday night 300 militants set on fire the house of Jamal Nasir, District Nazim Swat in Matta and issued warnings to the people that any one who supports government would face the same fate.
Locals say that the militants have established check posts in Dherai, Shakardara, Matta and Bandai villages and have digged bunkers from where they fire in the surrounding areas mainly on government buildings and security personnel.
In Charbagh area the police have vacated police stations and in many areas police are not able to perform their duties due to fear of backlash from the militants.
In the morning security personnel dropped handbills from helicopters in Mingora city and surrounding rural areas. The hand bills are written in both Pashto and Urdu. The handbills state "The security personnel are in the area for the protection of life and property of the local people. You are requested to back security personnel against terrorists and extremists. Always remember that strengthening Qazi courts and establishing an Islamic system in Malakand is the top priority of the government. Support the government and play your role in the development and prosperity of the area. Pakistan Zindabad".
Addressing a press conference Muslim, senior member of Maulana Fazlullah’s Shura said that the government had betrayed trust of Swati people. "We have one-point agenda that is the government should establish a true Islamic system in Malakand division and immediately remove forces from the valley. If there is no Shariat, there will be no peace", he added.
Eye witnesses say that a number of people have shifted their families from Imam Dherai, Fiza Gat and Dherai areas to other safer places due to the impending military operation. Emergency has been imposed in the Saidu Sharif hospital and hospital administration say that due to the prevailing fear common people even don’t visit the hospitals for medical check ups and treatment.
Social, political, economic and cultural activities have become to a standstill in the valley and the people are confronted with an acute sense of uncertainty. Area’s prominent political personalities i.e. Mian Gul Aurangzeb, the former NWFP Governor, Senator Shuja-ul-Mulk, Jamal Nasir Khan, district Nazim Swat and some leaders of PML Q have either shifter to Peshawar or Islamabad.
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