Wazir tribe elders in South Waziristan have contacted former Afghanistan prime minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar after Pakistani paramilitaries and troops started search operations in the tribal belt and arrested and killed many tribesmen, sources told Daily Times on Wednesday. âThe tribes have sent a message to Hekmatyar that if things get worse, they would be in a dilemma as to whether to help Pakistani forces or the mujahideen,â sources added. The elders told Hekmatyar that they would support him if search operations continued or allied forces in Afghanistan started operations in the tribal belt, they added.
They said a close aide of Taliban commander Maulana Jalaluddin Haqqani delivered the message to Hekmatyar. âHekmatyar was contacted after 13 people were killed by paramilitaries in Waziristan. Four of the deceased were from the Wazir tribe,â they added. Sources also said these tribes always kept their economic interests in mind and supported Pakistan in this regard. âThis is the first time that they (tribes) have sent a message to Hekmatyar indicating their frustration. This side of the Durand Line touches Afghanistanâs Khost province, which used to be Hekmatyarâs stronghold. He can still influence the people of Khost,â sources added.
| That's an interesting development. We tend to think of Hek as an Afghan phenomenon, but he's back and forth across the Durrand Line, with support out the Wazir on both sides. It's not only a hideout thing — he's also a player. |
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