'Emboldened' Taliban issues 'section 144' 'diktat' in North Waziristan

Islamabad, July 5 (ANI): The Taliban has banned public gatherings, including 'jirgas' in North Waziristan, and warned that strict action would be taken against those who defy its orders.

According to sources, the banned outfit distributed pamphlets in Miranshah bazaar area of the province warning people against holding any meeting.

The pamphlet said that any type of meeting or 'jirga' would be considered 'pro-government', and the leaders of would be punished.

"No tribe was allowed to hold a gathering of more than five people in any area of the agency. Any public gathering would be considered a pro-government committee, and the group leader would be killed and suicide attacks would be carried out against such groups," The Daily Times quoted the pamphlet, as saying.

People have also been asked not to enter government offices and the FC Fort in the region.

"People visiting public offices for any purpose should be ready to face the consequences," the pamphlet warned. (ANI)