Taliban threaten revenge attacks

MIRANSHAH (AFP) - A Pakistani Taliban commander warned on Thursday there would be reprisals by militants across the country if the US carried out further drone attacks in the tribal territory. Hafiz Gul Bahadur announced the decision at a Taliban council meeting in North Waziristan tribal district which borders Afghanistan, his spokesman said. Bahadur's group has been accused by the United States of launching attacks across the border in Afghanistan but it abstains from violence in the Pakistani territory under an understanding with military authorities. "We will start revenge attacks across other districts if the US drone attacks do not stop after November 20," spokesman Ahmadullah Ahmadi said in a statement. North Waziristan is a known hub of Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants and has been the main target of over 20 US unmanned Predator missile strikes in the recent months. "Commander Gul Bahadur has ordered his fighters to get ready for attacks to avenge martyrdom of innocent Waziristanis," Ahmadi said. The warning came after six people including a major Al-Qaeda operative were killed in a US missile strike in Bannu district which borders North Waziristan.

ePaper - Nawaiwaqt