“The Taliban are quite intelligent. They initially presented a soft image to endear themselves to the population. However, once they take control of an area, you get to see their full cruelty on display.” This description is somewhat reminiscent of the founder of Islam, Muhammad — the Taliban’s ultimate role model: Initially (when he was weak and outnumbered) he “presented a soft image,” what with talk of tolerance — “you have your religion, I have mine,” “there is no coercion in religion” — and so forth. When he grew in numbers and strength, however, “full cruelty on display” evinced itself via death, decapitations, slavery, and concubinage.
“Taliban terror in Buner,” by Iqbal Khattak for the Daily Times, May 17:
SHAWAI ADDA: Nineteen-year-old Naib Zada decided to leave Buner, along with several other villagers, hours after the Taliban beheaded his neighbour for being a police officer.
“That was a terrible experience and a wake-up call for all of us,” he said when talking about why he left his hometown of Kalpani in Buner district. Zada is now a resident of a private relief camp run by “˜Tarakai Trust” in Shawai Adda, Swabi.
“The Taliban are quite intelligent. They initially presented a soft image to endear themselves to the population. However, once they take control of an area, you get to see their full cruelty on display,” 38-year-old Mian Zarin said of the Taliban’s actions following their arrival in the region. Muhammad Raziq, 65, said the conditions really became “˜ugly” once the military decided to chase out the Taliban. “The forces were shelling any site where Taliban presence was reported, forcing us to flee for safety,” he said. Forty-five-year-old Ibrahim, meanwhile, said he ran away from Buner to protect the honour of his family”s women. He said the Taliban were expected to “dishonour our women as they did to the women in Swat”.
Govt at fault: The residents of the relief camp did not mince words against the government. “I hold the government responsible for the state of affairs in Buner because the state is unwilling to take the Taliban out,” Zarin said….