We want Afridi cut in pieces: Pak Taliban

While the United States has already shown dissatisfaction over Pakistan's claims that Dr Shakil Afridi, the Pakistani physician who helped the Central Intelligence Agency track down and kill Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, had relation with militants, the Pakistan Taliban have not only rejected the reports of any links with him, but has also said that the imprisoned doctor is 'wajib-ul-qatal' (one that deserve death penalty), as he helped the US to kill bin Laden. Tahir Ali reports

Referring to the episodem, Tehreek-e-Talban Pakistan spokesperson Ihsanullah Ihsan told rediff.com, "The government is staging a drama; in fact it is a game to release Afridi; we believe that after some time, Afridi would be safely shifted to the US."

He added, "We want Afridi cut in pieces; Osama bin Ladin was our hero and Afridi helped the US to kill him. He is our enemy and he is wajib-ul-qatal (deserving death)." Ihsan added that the government succumbed to US pressure, otherwise the minimum penalty of Dr Afridi was death punishment.

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When rediff.com contacted Abdur Rashid, the spokesperson of Lashkar-e-Islam he said, "We have no contact with Afridi; we had expelled him from the area on the complaints of the locals."

Rashid said that LI only recovered Rs 2 lakh as fine from Afridi over the complaints of the local people of overcharging the patients. "We did not receive Rs 20 lakh from Afridi as assistance for our group. This is a story cooked up by the government," he added.

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A detailed order of the court revealed that Afridi was punished not for having links with the CIA but he was sentenced due to his relations with LI.

The report revealed that intelligence agencies had received reports that the accused was in league with the LI and members of the general public too had made complaints against him.

"He gave Rs 2 million to the banned militant group while serving at the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, Dogra, in Bara area and provided medical assistance there to the LI's commanders Said Noor Malikdinkhel, Hazrat from the Sepah tribe, and Wahid from the Shalobar Qambarkhel tribe and others," said the detailed order.

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LI chief Mangal Bagh Afridi had abducted Dr Shakil Afridi in 2008 and had taken Rs 1 million as fine from him. Mangal took the action over the complaints of the local people who said that the doctor performed unnecessary surgeries just for the sake of money.

The US has shown displeasure over the claim of Pakistan and said that the story is concocted.

"We are seeking clarity on those latest reports; we've raised those with the government of Pakistan," said state department spokesman Mark Toner.

According to Rahimullah Yousafzai who is expert in Afghan and Taliban affairs, "This case could yet take many twists and turns and further strain US-Pakistan ties because Washington refuses to give up its habit of bullying Islamabad into submission after every new crisis in their strained relationship."

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