Pakistan arrests chief of banned extremist group, his 2 sons
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, June 5, IRNA - Pakistani authorities have arrested chief of a banned group and his two sons, which had struck a deal with the government in February to end violence in Swat but the agreement collapsed in May, the group said.
There was no official conformation of the arrest of Sufi Muhammad, head of the Tehrik Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi, (TNSM).
The TNSM said that five close aides of Sufi Muhammad were also arrested who were shifted to unknown destination.
Amir Ezat Khan, the known face and the group’s spokesman was among the arrested leaders.
Other leaders included the group’s deputy chief Muhammad Alam, and Syed Wahab as well as Salman.
It was not immediately clear as to why the TNSM leaders were arrested.
The government says the TNSM leaders did not honor their commitments to ask Swat Taliban to lay down arms after the peace deal was signed.
The government says that Islamic judicial system was introduced in Swat and other parts of Malakand in the northwest under the deal but the TNSM chief Sufi Muhammad could not play role to end violence.
Son of Sufi Muhammad was also killed last month in air strike by the army in Lower Dir area.
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