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Tribal Rebels Ready to Back Taliban
Wednesday September 19, 2001
By Rory McCarthy in Islamabad

Supporters take allegiance oath as leader leaves

The Guardian
Across a broad swath of lawless western Pakistan tribal leaders are calling men to arms to defend their Taliban allies over the border in Afghanistan.

Thousands of heavily armed men gathered in villages in several tribal agencies yesterday to pledge allegiance to the hardline militia should the Americans retaliate.

Clerics led protests and warned they would declare a jihad, or holy war, and target American interests if Washington decided to attack. One group in Hangu threatened suicide missions.

"The reaction of the general public will be extremely severe if there is a Pakistani-supported assault," said Abdul Jalil Jan, a leader of the hardline Jamiat Ulema party, which has sent hundreds of young men to join the Taliban.

Although they live in mud houses in remote villages with little electricity Pakistan's tribesmen are often wealthy, well-organised and heavily armed. Most make their money from smuggling either drugs or electronic goods.

Their arsenal, which include anti-aircraft guns, mortars and heavy artillery, are either left over from the war against Soviet occupation or are new copies, made by the resourceful artisans of Darra Adam Khel. In this village on the outskirts of Peshawar, gun-makers sell hand-made Kalashnikovs for 2,500 rupees (£30).

Government officials are desperately trying to calm tensions. Syed Imtiaz Gilani, the information minister for north-west frontier province, said: "We hope these people will rise above their personal and political interests and stand with their country."
(More: The Guardian News Source)

Dan