Malik announces $1 million bounty on Pakistani Taliban spokesman
Interior Minister Rehman Malik.—APP (File Photo)
KARACHI: Interior Minister Rehman Malik has offered a $1 million bounty for Ehsanullah Ehsan, the central spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban, which claimed responsibility for the attack on 14-year-old activist Malala Yousufzai’s life.
Speaking to CNN in an interview late Monday, Malik said that security agencies were investigating the attack and hunting down those whose involvement had been ascertained.
“All our law enforcers, intelligence agencies are hunting all those who were involved. I have got some other names which I would not like to mention on record because it may damage the investigation. But let me (as)sure my Pakistani nation, and the entire world, that we will get them very soon,” the interior minister told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour.
Malik said that according to details unearthed in the probe, the assassination attempt on Malala was planned in Afghanistan.
“Four people came from there. … One of the guys, we have identified and (a) few of his associates have been arrested. One of – the fiancee of one of the terrorists has been detained, and all possible leads which we have developed … we are following it,” said Malik, vowing to hold all those responsible to account “very soon.”
Moreover, the interior minister affirmed that the government was providing security to Malala’s family and to two other girls also wounded in the same attack.
Malik says ‘Radio Mullah’ new Pakistani Taliban chief; denied by the TTP spokesman
Later on Tuesday, the interior minister said that intelligence reports suggested that powerful militant commander “Radio Mullah” Fazlullah was being made the central leader of the militant umbrella group the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
“We have reports that Mullah Fazlullah was being made the chief of the TTP,” Malik told reporters in Mingora, Swat. He said that the reason Fazlullah was being made leader was that current chief Hakimullah Mehsud had been ‘underground’ and inactive, and had not been commanding most of the operations of the TTP.
However, speaking to our correspondent from an undisclosed location over the telephone, TTP spokesman Ehsan denied the reports. “As long as Hakimullah (Mehsud) continues to lead the TTP according to Shariah…… he will remain the ameer (chief) as appointed by Mullah Omar,” said Ehsan.
“Young Taliban leadership is playing an active role in carrying out activities under the guidance of senior commanders like Fazlullah and Hakimullah,” he added.
Fazlullah is the chief of the Swat Taliban, which previously had control over the Swat region and is believed to have melted away across the border following a Pakistani military offensive in 2009. Fazlullah is now believed to be based in Afghanistan’s Kunar province.
A spokesman for the Swat Taliban had claimed that two killers from Fazlullah’s special hit squad had been sent to target young schoolgirl Malala Yousufzai. The spokesman had further threatened to kill the girl’s father following the failed assassination attempt on the girl’s life.
Malik visited the house of Kainat, one of the girls injured during the attack on Malala in Swat. The interior minister added that three platoons of the Frontier Constabulary (FC) would be named after the three girls – Malala, Kainat and Shazia.
He also said that the government would confer a Sitara-i-Shujaat (Medal of Courage) award on Malala for her activism for girls’ education and peace despite dangers to her life.
Dawn.com correspondent Zahir Shah Sherazi contributed to reporting.
In what capacity did he announce this reward ? I thought he had been disqualified as Interior Minister by the courts. Also where the Benazir commission report ? We are all waiting to see who gets accused in that as AZ and RM promised that during elections, with much fanfare. Or as BB is now out of the way, who really cares ?
How come there was no bounty for the killers of Benazir?
Please do not lavishly spend those foreign currency hardly earned by the poor and exhausted Pakistani peoples. Instead you can refer it to the peoples choice and better invest that money in some development works so they can procure their daily breads in exchange of their labour.
How the minister will arrange this much amount of money? From the deficit budget of a developing country or from his own pocket?
I agree with Dilawer’s assertion as the anti-drone strike campaign was about to gain momentum, when this incident occurred. So, we should who can get more benefit from the attack on Malala Yousafzai? Taliban or the CIA?
How much money the two persons need to travel from Kunar to Mingora to target Malala Yousufzai? I believe hardly a couple of thousands!!! But Malik Sahab’s claim to have arrested a “fiancee” is strange. Don’t play politics on Malala, improve security of ordinary Pakistanis instead of few high-ups – Malik Sahab.
When people like Malik Sahab think about pakistan and its people .. I get skeptic and its not my fault …
knowing taliban’s mentality, they will reciprocate by offering $2millions bounty on Rehman Malik. Beginning of biding war.
Comments are more entertaining then Malik Rehman. I think he just made up the million $ number . What the heck I am looking good with this number.
Learn from Sri Lanka how to clean your country.
Malala is more brave than you Rehman Malik. Shame on you for not being bold enough to initiate the war against Taliban. Even if you get Ehsanullah Ehsan, there will be another ullah guy next in line to claim future responsibility. Maybe we need Musharaf back to teach you guys how to fight like a man.
None of these bounties have ever worked. What makes him think this one will?
One of the first high ranking Pakistani official to reassure Pakistani people with some law enforcement measures! Nevertheless, it is a welcome step.
Ehsanullah Eshan time to search for hiding places has started. Go Minister 1st time I say it is the right thing to do. Bless you heart. I’m so happy for your decision no matter whose pressure and why you did it. It is sure is a right decision. God bless you
Why waste money? Ask US Navy Seals, they will take out EhsanUllah Ehsan for free.They did it successfully before, remember OBL in Abbottabad ? He is no more living in Abbottabad, he now at the bottom of th sea.
Everything wrong in Pakistan is due to India/ US/ West!
Shame on our leaders
Shame on illiteracy that people dont see that this is because of political/personal gains that they end up blaming the west for everything!
Could some body make the Hon’ Interior Minister to stay quite.He speaks too much and does nothing.
@ Rahman Malik. Why not spend the anounced money and make serious efforts in tracking and tracing the culprits? I think it’s a chance for you and your government to have your names go down in history in golden.. Just awarding medals won’t serve the purpose..