How teenagers were lured by Taliban

Published December 12, 2009

MAKIN (South Waziristan): A soldier guards a damaged training centre of militants in the once stronghold of the Taliban.—AFP

PESHAWAR An artificial paradise (Jannat) established by terrorists for brainwashing would-be suicide bombers has been captured by security forces in South Waziristan Agency.

The 'Jannat' in the Nawaz Kot area was shown to a visiting team of Peshawar-based journalists by ISPR authorities.

The journalists, who were taken to the place in a helicopter on Friday morning, took a round of the so-called paradise and later were briefed about the modus operandi for churning out suicide bombers.

The make-believe heaven consisted of four rooms. Each room contained exquisite paintings of lakes overflowing with milk and honey and scenic valleys inhabited by 'hoors' (beautiful women).

Religious teachers in the training centre used to show would-be bombers around and dupe them into believing that after their death in suicide attacks their stature would be equal to Sahaba-i-Karaam and that they would enjoy the company of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The term 'Sahaba-i-Karaam' refers to close associates of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

Boys aged between 12 and 18 were trained to become suicide bombers under the supervision of Hakimullah Mehsud.

The TTP chief would keep hammering away at 'an unending bliss awaiting you in Jannat dotted with lakes of milk and honey', said Major Saleem in a briefing for journalists.
 
He told journalists the building also had a 'slaughterhouse' for killing kidnapped security officials. A huge cache of arms and ammunition was seized from there.

In reply to a question, Major Saleem said the security forces faced tough resistance before capturing the militant stronghold. Two bombers and their trainers were taken into custody.

The troops came upon a significant quantity of hashish and compact discs after they set about securing the building. Books and magazines in Arabic, Pushto and Uzbek languages were strewn all over the place.

Later the visiting journalists were taken to Makin and Ziarsar area of Spin Kamar.

Colonel Asif Mehmud, the operation commander, told the journalists that Makin was believed to be the hub of Taliban and the forces overcame stiff resistance before its fall.

Makin harboured a training centre that was run by Baitullah Mehsud when he used to live nearby in the house of his uncle. The forces had taken all hilltops and purged the area of militants, Colonel Mehmud said.

Anti-tank mines, rockets, missiles and other weapons of foreign make were shown to the visiting journalists.—APP

Opinion

Editorial

Geopolitical games
Updated 18 Dec, 2024

Geopolitical games

While Assad may be gone — and not many are mourning the end of his brutal rule — Syria’s future does not look promising.
Polio’s toll
18 Dec, 2024

Polio’s toll

MONDAY’s attacks on polio workers in Karak and Bannu that martyred Constable Irfanullah and wounded two ...
Development expenditure
18 Dec, 2024

Development expenditure

PAKISTAN’S infrastructure development woes are wide and deep. The country must annually spend at least 10pc of its...
Risky slope
Updated 17 Dec, 2024

Risky slope

Inflation likely to see an upward trajectory once high base effect tapers off.
Digital ID bill
Updated 17 Dec, 2024

Digital ID bill

Without privacy safeguards, a centralised digital ID system could be misused for surveillance.
Dangerous revisionism
Updated 17 Dec, 2024

Dangerous revisionism

When hatemongers call for digging up every mosque to see what lies beneath, there is a darker agenda driving matters.