Taliban take up armed patrols in Pakistan's Swat Valley

Islamabad: Taliban militants are setting up checkpoints in a district next to Pakistan's Swat Valley, a lawmaker said Wednesday, spurring fears that a government-backed peace deal imposing Islamic law in the area has emboldened the insurgents to expand their reign.

Reports that the top government official in another adjacent district was kidnapped by militants added to the growing concern.

Residents from other nearby towns also told the reporters that they had seen militants setting up their own checkpoints at various roads and strategic locations.

The Swat militants have also staged forays into adjoining Buner district in recent days, sparking at least one major clash with residents who tried to force them out.

Istiqbal Khan, a lawmaker from Buner, said that the militants had entered the district in "large numbers" and started setting up checkpoints at main roads and strategic positions.

"They are patrolling in Buner, and local elders and clerics are negotiating with them to resolve this issue through talks," he said. "They did a bad thing, but I don't suggest any military operation against them. Let us give peace a chance to evict these Taliban from Buner. I am optimistic that it can be done."

Swat Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan could not immediately be reached for comment.

In a recent interview, Khan said Al Qaida leader Osama bin Laden and other militants aiming to oust the US from Afghanistan would be welcome and protected in Swat, a statement the government condemned.

The deal was mediated by Sufi Muhammad, a hardline cleric who has long demanded Islamic law be imposed in Swat and surrounding districts. Muhammad has urged the Taliban to lay down their weapons, but his spokesman tried to downplay the Taliban patrols.

"People need not worry," Amir Izzat said Wednesday. "These Taliban only want that the process of enforcing Islamic laws in the region to be expedited."

Meanwhile, authorities said that the top government official in Upper Dir, a rough-and-tumble district next to Swat, was missing.

Atif Rehman was believed to be returning home after visiting the village of Chakdara, where he met with local tribal elders, but lost contact with his staff late Tuesday, said Ghulam Mohammed, the top official in Lower Dir.

"We suspect he is in the custody of militants, along with his driver," he said.