Latest news with #MuftiBaitullah
Express Tribune
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Sit-in against North Waziristan quad-copter strike enters 5th day
A protest sit-in by tribesmen in the Mir Ali tehsil of North Waziristan tribal district against a recent quad-copter strike entered its fifth day on Friday, with demonstrators vowing to stay put until their demands are met. The quad-copter dropped explosives on a house in the Hormuz area of Mir Ali earlier this week, killing four children from the same family and critically injuring their mother along with some other women. The attack has triggered widespread outrage, with local tribesmen and activists condemning it as a violation of human rights. Fingers were pointed at the security forces following the tragic incident. However, the military said on May 19 that 'these claims are entirely baseless and are part of a coordinated disinformation campaign aimed at discrediting the security forces' steadfast efforts in the ongoing counterterrorism operations.' Read more: India-backed Fitna Al Khwarij behind North Waziristan attack: ISPR The military's media wing added that a comprehensive investigation initiated after the incident has established that 'this heinous act has been orchestrated and executed by India-sponsored Fitna Al Khwarij' – a reference to the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) which has officially be designated as such. 'It is evident that these elements — acting at the behest of their Indian masters – continue to exploit civilian areas and vulnerable populations as shields to conduct their reprehensible acts of terrorism,' it further stated, adding that such tactics aim to unsuccessfully sow discord between the local population and the security forces. Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to find a negotiated end to the sit-in. Mufti Baitullah, a spokesperson for the Utmanzai tribe, stated that the district administration had sent a traditional delegation along with two goats and Sufi mediators as part of a nanawatey (tribal reconciliation gesture). Subsequently, the sit-in organisers postponed a planned march to Islamabad until Monday as a goodwill gesture. However, Mufti Baitullah warned that if the government fails to address their demands by then, protesters will march to the Capital with the bodies of the victims. Read more: Officials begin probe as sit-in against Waziristan strike continues The sit-in continues, with all major roads blocked, disrupting trade and transportation, severely impacting Pak-Afghan trade, leaving hundreds of trucks stranded and perishable goods at risk of spoilage. Traders are reporting losses worth millions of rupees due to the standstill. Local administration officials confirmed that talks with tribal leaders are ongoing to resolve the issue peacefully while respecting tribal customs. District officials have also launched an investigation into the deadly strike, though details remain unclear. Local tribesmen have expressed frustration over the lack of transparency surrounding the attack, calling for accountability, while users on social media are also demanding stricter regulations to prevent civilian casualties in future operations.
Arab News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Thousands protest as suspected drone strike kills 4 children in northwest Pakistan
PESHAWAR: A suspected drone strike killed four children and wounded five others in northwest Pakistan, prompting thousands of residents to stage a protest by placing the children's bodies on a main road to demand justice, local elders said on Tuesday. It wasn't immediately clear who was behind Monday's attack in Mir Ali, which has been a stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban, and there was no comment from the army. 'We are not blaming anyone, but we want justice, and the government should tell us who killed our children,' local tribal elder Mufti Baitullah said. He warned that the protest, currently staged at one regional roadblock, could expand if authorities fail to answer. 'We will not bury the bodies until we are told who is responsible for killing our innocent children,' he said, as people chanted 'we want justice.' There have been civilian casualties in military strikes in some parts of the country in recent years. In March, 11 people, including women and children, were killed when a drone attack targeted a house in the northwestern city of Mardan. A statement by the provincial government at the time had only said that there was 'collateral damage' in an operation that was conducted to target militants in a remote village. Residents in March also rallied until the government agreed to compensate the victims' families. Abdullah Khan, the managing director of the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies think tank, said Tuesday that militants also have been using quadcopters to target troops, but it still was unclear who was responsible for the drone attack in Mir Ali. The latest civilian casualties came amid ongoing military operations against the Pakistani Taliban, which have a strong presence in Mir Ali, a city in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, are a separate insurgent group from the Afghan Taliban, and they often target troops in the region. Nayak Muhammad Dawar, a provincial minister, condemned the attack in a statement Tuesday. He said that investigations were ongoing. Mir Ali and nearby districts located near Afghanistan were long a base for the Pakistani Taliban and other militant groups. The TTP have stepped up attacks in the region in recent months.
New Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Thousands protest after a suspected drone strike kills four children in Pakistan
PESHAWAR: A suspected drone strike killed four children and wounded five others in Pakistan's restive northwest, prompting thousands of residents to stage a protest by placing the children's bodies on a main road to demand justice, local elders said on Tuesday. It was unclear who was behind Monday's attack in Mir Ali, which has been a stronghold of Pakistani Taliban, and there was no comment from the army about the incident. 'We are not blaming anyone, but we want justice, and the government should tell us who killed our children,' local tribal elder Mufti Baitullah said. He warned that the protest, currently staged at one regional roadblock, could expand if authorities fail to answer. 'We will not bury the bodies until we are told who is responsible for killing our innocent children,' he said, as people chanted 'we want justice.'
20-05-2025
- Politics
Thousands protest after a suspected drone strike kills 4 children in Pakistan
PESHAWAR, Pakistan -- A suspected drone strike killed four children and wounded five others in Pakistan's restive northwest, prompting thousands of residents to stage a protest by placing the children's bodies on a main road to demand justice, local elders said on Tuesday. It was unclear who was behind Monday's attack in Mir Ali, which has been a stronghold of Pakistani Taliban, and there was no comment from the army about the incident. 'We are not blaming anyone, but we want justice, and the government should tell us who killed our children,' local tribal elder Mufti Baitullah said. He warned that the protest, currently staged at one regional roadblock, could expand if authorities fail to answer. 'We will not bury the bodies until we are told who is responsible for killing our innocent children,' he said, as people chanted 'we want justice.' The civilian casualties came amid ongoing military operations against the Pakistani Taliban, which have a strong presence in Mir Ali, a city in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, are a separate insurgent group from the Afghan Taliban, and they often target troops in the region. Nayak Muhammad Dawar, a provincial minister, condemned the attack in a statement Tuesday. He said investigations were ongoing. Mir Ali and nearby districts located near Afghanistan were long a base for the Pakistani Taliban and other militant groups. The TTTP have stepped up attacks in the region in recent months.
Hamilton Spectator
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Thousands protest after a suspected drone strike kills 4 children in Pakistan
PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — A suspected drone strike killed four children and wounded five others in Pakistan's restive northwest, prompting thousands of residents to stage a protest by placing the children's bodies on a main road to demand justice, local elders said on Tuesday. It was unclear who was behind Monday's attack in Mir Ali, which has been a stronghold of Pakistani Taliban, and there was no comment from the army about the incident. 'We are not blaming anyone, but we want justice, and the government should tell us who killed our children,' local tribal elder Mufti Baitullah said. He warned that the protest, currently staged at one regional roadblock, could expand if authorities fail to answer. 'We will not bury the bodies until we are told who is responsible for killing our innocent children,' he said, as people chanted 'we want justice.' The civilian casualties came amid ongoing military operations against the Pakistani Taliban, which have a strong presence in Mir Ali, a city in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, are a separate insurgent group from the Afghan Taliban, and they often target troops in the region. Nayak Muhammad Dawar, a provincial minister, condemned the attack in a statement Tuesday. He said investigations were ongoing. Mir Ali and nearby districts located near Afghanistan were long a base for the Pakistani Taliban and other militant groups. The TTTP have stepped up attacks in the region in recent months. ___ Associated Press writer Rasool Khan contributed to this story from Peshawar, Pakistan.
