Taliban allied tribe shifts loyalties to government

Islamabad: An important ally tribe of Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud in Bannu has transferred loyalties to the government as security forces are squeezing in from two different directions to attack the Taliban bastion, south Waziristan.

The tribe has however demanded the government hold a temporary ceasefire in their areas so that they can persuade militants in hiding to surrender themselves.

Bannu borders Waziristan and many tribes in its suburbs are seen as loyalists to the Taliban and especially Mehsud.

Pakistani security forces are trying to control these areas to secure their supply line before going in for a ground assault against Baitullah's forces.

"The tribe known as the Bakakhel has assured the government of cooperation and that they will not resist security forces in the ongoing military operation," officials privy to the development said.

The tribe also agreed to cooperate in setting up security check posts on two important roads linking Bannu to Waziristan.

A committee headed by the tribe's chief has been set up to negotiate with the government on the release of the arrested tribesmen, officials said.

Pakistani security forces are battling militants in semi-tribal Bannu and suburbs of Tank, two major districts bordering Waziristan, to have a go at Mehsud's stronghold South Waziristan as Frontier province Governor declared war on Mehsud forces the other day. Already the South Waziristan areas are being pounded by the Pakistani military.