Pakistani Security Forces Arrest Islamist Leader Maulana Sufi Muhammad, Two Sons, Several Other Militants

Pakistani security forces have arrested militant Islamist leader Maulana Sufi Muhammad, the architect of now-failed Shari’a-for-peace deal in the Swat district of Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province (NWFP), according to a Pashtu daily.

Maulana Sufi Muhammad, the chief of banned Tehreek-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM), was arrested along with two sons and several other militants, according to a report in the Pashtu-language newspaper Wrazpanra Khabroona.

Emir Eezat Khan, the TNSM spokesman; Muhammad Alam, deputy chief of TSNM; Syed Wahab, finance secretary; and Salman, a key member of the militant outfit, were arrested from their base in the NWFP’s Lower Dir district, the report added.

The report, quoting a statement of the Pakistan Army, added that militant cleric Maulana Sufi Muhammad was present in his seminary along with his two sons when he was detained by the security forces.

However, according to a report in the Pakistani daily The News, there was confusion as to whether Maulana Sufi Muhammad was arrested.

‘The News’ report added: ‘‘Initially, the provincial [NWFP] government had reportedly confirmed the arrest of the aged cleric along with his deputy and others, while the military authorities denied making any such arrest.’’

Source: Wrazpanra Khabroona, Pakistan, June 5, 2009; The News, Pakistan, June 5, 2009

Indian Author Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer Examines the Difficulties of Islamic Reform, Says; 'Two Challenges Remain...[Those of] Mass Poverty and Illiteracy, and the Narow Base on Which Reformists Usually Work; The Base Can be Widened Only if Education and Awareness Increases' - Special Dispatch Series No. 3127- Urdu-Pashtu Media Project - July 28, 2010

Lt.-Gen. Hamid Gul, the Former Chief of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Denies WikiLeaks Accusations of Involvement in Taliban Resistance, but Says: 'The Afghan National Resistance [Led by the Taliban] is Fully Jusitified'; Afghan Officials Claim the Documents Prove Pakistan is the Center of Resistance - Special Dispatch Series No. 3124- Urdu-Pashtu Media Project - July 27, 2010

Pakistani Taliban Spokesman Says 3,000 Fighter Ready for Attacks in India, Notes: 'For Us, Whether They are Hindus or Jews, They All are the Same' - Special Dispatch Series No. 3121- Urdu-Pashtu Media Project - June 26, 2010

Communique of the International Conference on Afghanistan - Special Dispatch Series No. 3116 - Urdu-Pashtu Media Project - July 23, 2010

Al-Qaeda Official for Pakistan Ustad Ahmad Farooq Justifies Jihad Against paksitani Leaders, Says: 'Assisting the Infidels Even Partly is Leaving Islam'; 'We are Trying to Establish a Pakistan where Shari'a is Implemented in Practice...Which is the Center and Axis of the Mujahideen' - Special Dispatch Series No. 3105- Urdu-Pashtu Media Project - July 19, 2010

If you would like to donate by mail, please send check or money order to:
	MEMRI P.O. Box 27837 Washington DC 20038
Telephone: 202.955.9070 Email: donate@memri.org

View Blog Reactions

Add The MEMRI Blog to your personalized Google homepage.

Would you like to get in touch with us? Send an email to Blog@memri.org

 The MEMRI Feed

Egyptian blogger Abdelkareem Nabil Suleiman was arrested for allegedly "defaming the President of Egypt" and "highlighting inappropriate aspects the harm the reputation of Egypt" on his blog.

A petition calling for his release has been posted online by the HAMSA organization ("Hands Across the Mideast Support Alliance"), an American Muslim association for promoting civil rights in the Middle East.

No to Violence	Terrorism Has No Religion

Visit www.noterror.info for more information.

As a reader of MEMRI, you are familiar with our continuing efforts to expand our work to monitor more media outlets in more countries, research more subjects, and translate into more languages.

At this crucial time, as the war on terror continues, with the escalation of conflicts in the Middle East, and with reformists in the region needing help to make their voices heard, we are introducing The MEMRI Blog.

The MEMRI Blog is a new service, provided by The Middle East Media Research Institute, which will operate in conjunction with MEMRI.org, MEMRITV.org, and MEMRIFilms.org.

While MEMRI regularly provides translations from editorials and sermons, as well as expert analysis, The MEMRI Blog will specifically highlight brief NEWS ITEMS from Arabic, Persian, and Turkish language media sources.

Summaries are posted on the front page, but be sure to read the FULL ENTRY.