JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Haji Zahir Qadeer, lawmaker from eastern Nangarhar province, has rejected reports that he wants to raise his private militias to battle the insurgency.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday night in Jalalabad, the provincial capital, Qadeer said he was against the creation of militias but was prepared to fight against the insurgents in Nangarhar.
He recently announced the launch of joint operations along with the government forces in Shinwari district against the militants. There have been rumours the first deputy spokesman for the lower house plans to form his own force.
“Haji Zahir is not a supporter of forming militias,” the lawmaker remarked, saying those planning to fight against the rebels would later rejoin their families.
“I don’t accept either Afridis or Orakzais to come and attack our people; I want the government to call on us for a joint campaign against the guerrillas,” the MP added.
In Shinwari district, according to him, some local people have risen against the militants and had captured two members of the Daesh -- or the so-called Islamic State -- group.
“The detainees, Pakistani nationals, were captured with the help of the people and brought to me. I will hand them over to the government.”
Two more armed men, planning a life attempt on him, were held in Surkhrod district. “Linked to Daesh, the men had taken a position a kilometre from my house. With the help of the people, we seized them and handed them over to the government.”
But Nangarhar police said they were unaware of the incident.
“We expect the government to call on us. The enemy has been weakened but some people have made a beast out of them. We’ll wait for the government some more days,” continued Qadeer.
Salim Khan Kunduzi, Nangarhar governor, had earlier hinted at utilising uprising forces for maintaining security in Shinwari district.
hg/mud
