Pro-Taliban men take over Pak. district, airstrip

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, OCT. 29. Armed supporters of the Taliban took administrative control of the Chillas district - about 350 km north east of Peshawar - and its isolated airstrip, on Sunday,

and in the Northern Areas thousands of Taliban supporters blocked the Silk Route on the Karakoram Highway for the fourth day today protesting the Musharraf Government's support to the U.S.

Reports said that about 2000 armed students of religious seminaries took over the airstrip in Chillas and threatened to blast aircraft and helicopters.

In another development, the Pakistan Government stopped about 12,000 armed activists of the Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e- Muhammaadi from crossing over to the Afghan province of Kunar from Bajaur area.

The Taliban has also refused to accept ``jehadi'' convoys from Pakistan, saying there was no need for such armies now. Its Ambassador to Pakistan, Mullah Abdul Salaam Zaeef, told reporters that while the militia respected the sentiments of those wanting to join the ``jehad'' (holy war) against the U.S., the time had not yet come to utilise their services.

The Urdu daily, Jang, however, said two convoys, comprising 1700 people from Dir (upper) and Bonir areas, left for Afghanistan on Sunday to take part in the ``jehad.'' The local administration made no attempt to stop or resist their departure, it said and claimed that more than 40,000 people had enrolled. The biggest convoy left from Shringal area in 47 vehicles.

`Some parts disturbed'

The Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman, Mr. Riaz Mohammad Khan, said during the regular briefing that the situation in some parts were ``disturbed'' and the Government was trying to persuade the pro-Taliban elements to refrain from precipitating matters.

Mr. Khan reiterated that continuation of the military operations in Afghanistan during the holy month of Ramzan (beginning November 17) would aggravate the situation.

Amid these developments, the United States Central Command Chief of the Armed Forces, Mr. Tommy Frank, arrived here on an unscheduled visit and met Gen. Musharraf and the top military brass. Though no details were available, it is believed that the meeting focussed on the situation in Afghanistan and the repercussions of the U.S.-led military campaign.

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