Taliban used 'physical and psychological' warfare to establish writ in Mingora

Peshawar, June 19 (ANI): The Taliban not only used sophisticated arms and ammunitions to install their command on key installations in Mingora, but also resorted to 'psychological warfare' against the security forces, Subedar Fazal Hameed, who defended the Mingora electric grid station for 20 days continuously before getting help from the military, has said.

Hameed, a Frontier Corps subedar, denied the Taliban an access to the grid station, and fought bravely against the insurgents despite being short of arms and ammunition.

Hameed said it was not the physical arms and ammunition which caused him worry, but the 'psychological warfare' that bothered him during the 20 days long pitch battle.

"They (Taliban) were conducting psychological warfare,making announcements and threatening us," said Hameed.

He said the Taliban threatened him and other security personnel who had taken refuge in the grid to surrender immediately or face the consequences, The Daily Times reports.

"We have mined the grid station's surroundings and the whole area will be reduced to ashes in the next two hours if you do not order your men to surrender," the extremists warned.

"The Taliban pressurised us both psychologically and militarily. A military officer told me not to heed the Taliban's threats and give them a good fight. Those words boosted my morale and that of my jawans as well," Hameed said.

Hameed recalled that the Taliban got infuriated at the news of several policemen from the nearby Rahimabad police station taking refuge at the grid station.

"We demand you hand over the cops. We will cut you in pieces if you continue to defy the Taliban," the Taliban had threatened.

However, the threats did not deter Hameed, as he continued to put up a brave fight against the Taliban until the army regained the control of the grid in May. (ANI)