The Taliban are seeking money, men and weapons from the residents of the conflict-hit areas, urging them to "live and die together" fighting against the security forces, a resident of Kanju town in Swat district said Monday."The Taliban appear to have been running short of money, men and weapons to fight the army for long as they are seeking a fighter from each family, a Kalashnikov, or a Rs 50,000 donation," said Bakht Rawan, whose original name has been withheld for security reasons.
Kanju is strategically located south of Mingora and has access to the Kabal and Matta tehsils. The Taliban held the town before the security forces took it back on May 22.
Rawan said the Taliban held a jirga with residents of Hazara area (in Kabal tehsil) at a mosque on Saturday and told them they were running short of ammunition and also needed Kalashnikovs. They urged the people not to leave for safer places. "Let's live and die together," the Taliban commanders told the villagers who have however decided to migrate.