Swat mined by Taliban, cabinet told

ISLAMABAD: The Taliban have planted countless landmines and explosive devices around the populated areas of Swat to stop the people from leaving their homes and for using women and children as human shields against the military operation, a federal cabinet meeting was told on Wednesday.

The shocking evidence about the mining of the troubled areas was given by one of the federal ministers during the meeting, which was presided over by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. The ministers had not expected that the Taliban would quietly obtain the capability to plant mines and take on the Pakistan Army like a trained guerrilla force.

The minister, who gave these details, belonged to a religious party of the NWFP. He told his fellow cabinet colleagues that he had come to know from his own sources in Swat that the delay in action against the Taliban had enabled them to mine the areas and as the time was passing by, the Taliban were gaining strength and were better placed to challenge the security forces.

The minister, who in the past had been greatly supporting the cause of the Taliban and their drive in the name of Shariah, however, now criticised them. The sources said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said innocent people could not be allowed to suffer at the hands of Taliban, who were now taking extremely dangerous measures.

However, sources close to the Taliban vehemently denied mining of the area. They said those charging the Taliban with such inhuman acts may themselves have made such plans. They said the Taliban could not think of using civilians as human shields. The government and their allies have launched a smear campaign against the Taliban, they added.