Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Houses of al Qaeda suspects demolished in Pakistan

IRNA

Islamabad, Nov 7, IRNA -- Tribal elders in Pakistan`s remote border 
tribal region on Thursday demolished houses of tribesmen who allegedly
sheltered Taliban and al Qaeda suspects, officials and local 
correspondents said. 
The houses were demolished near Wana, the capital of South 
Waziristan tribal agency, bordering Afghanistan in the presence of 
local officials. 
Bulldozers and explosives were used to blow castle-like houses of 
Zarey Gul and Payo Khan of Karey Khel tribe, who have gone missing 
since the military launched a major against Taliban and al Qaeda 
suspects last month. 
The local authorities freed 307 men of Karey Khel tribesmen and 
allowed them to open their shops, petrol pumps and other business 
centers after a jirga (council) of elders accepted the government 
demand to demolish the houses of accused. 
The Pakistani Army had killed eight al Qaeda suspects in a major 
operation in South Wazristan on October 2 and arrested 18 others. 
"The two men were accused of sheltering al Qaeda suspects," a 
tribal leader Shehzad Khan told reporters. 
He said al Qaeda suspects could not be given shelter in the area 
as per agreement with the government. 
A local official Muhammad Azam Khan said that the tribesmen have 
demolished houses for the first time and now the tribesmen have 
promised not to give shelter to any al Qaeda suspect. 
The houses were demolished a day ahead of protest by Islamic 
groups against the military operation in South Waziristan. 
The Mutahida Majlis-e-Amal, alliance of six Islamic groups, has 
announced to hold rallies in major cities on Friday to condemn the 
military operation. 
TSH/AA/210 
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