LOC18:43
15:43 GMT
ISLAMABAD, July 12 (KUNA) -- Residents of Islamabad and a certain
proportion of Pakistanis might have been relieved with the final resolution of
Lal Mosque crisis, though with a tragic end, but northern parts of the country
are boiling with anger and pledges of revenge are echoing in the air and
mountains.
Since the operation started on Tuesday July 3rd though at the intimidation
of the mosque vigilantes, militant sympathizers have been targeting security
forces in the northern valleys of Sawat, Der and Gilgit as well as in the
tribal region.
Up to eight attacks including suicides were carried out against security
forces in Sawat valley only over a week. In tribal areas rocket attacks on
security forces picked up the pace.
At least seven security personnel were killed in three different explosions
in Sawat and North Waziristan tribal agency Thursday.
While the operation was underway here and a battle-like atmosphere had
shrouded otherwise calm Islamabad, thousands of tribesmen led by hundreds of
Taliban militants carrying weapons with covered faces held protest
demonstrations in the tribal region.
Chanting anti-US and anti-government slogans, they threatened the
government to launch Jihad( holy war) )against it, if the operation is not
halted immediately. Similar protests were held in the northern lush-green
valleys.
In some districts of North-West Frontier Province (NWFP), which were
destroyed by the October 8, 2005 earthquake, angry people ransacked government
offices and set on fire offices of foreign non-governmental organizations
(NGOs).
Security sources told the Kuwaiti News Agency (KUNA) that about 15 rockets
were fired at a security camp in Bajaur agency late Wednesday night wounding 8
security personnel.
Another tribal source said that at the burial of three mosque students on
Thursday in the agency hundreds of tribesmen joined by about 400
armed-militants vowed to avenge the operation and announced to carryout
suicide attacks across the country.
The source added that in the Momand agency, mosque leaders threatened
taking revenge of the mass killings by carrying out suicide attacks in the
capital.
A major part of the mosque students belonged to northern and tribal parts
of the country.
Intelligence sources said, in light of possible backlash, security across
the country had been beefed up and airports given red alerts.
They said a report on possible suicide attacks had been submitted in the
Federal Interior Ministry and stringent security measures had been taken to
maintain order in the country. (end)
amn.msa
KUNA 121843 Jul 07NNNN