Headway made in Dargai bombing probe: Sherpao
Staff Report

ISLAMABAD—Interior minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has said that there has been quite a positive progress in the investigations into Dargai incident, which is connected deeply to the Bajaur attack.
While addressing a press conference in the Assembly cafeteria, he strongly justified the attack on Bajaur seminary and whose responsibility was accepted by Pakistan Army.
Carrying on his address, he strongly criticized opposition for its lack of respect and gumption for an opposing viewpoint, and said that it has been proved that opposition deliberately created the quorum situation, both in National Assembly and Senate. While vilifying the opposition, he said that MMA had won the previous elections on the basis of Afghanistan, but they would never be able to take any advantage of Hasba Bill, Bajaur and Dargai tragedies. He blamed numerous bomb blasts including 37 attacks and killing of seven levies personnel, and even some women, on the killed Al-Qaeeda member, Marwan Al Soori, who was killed in Bajaur bombing spree and his diary was recovered by authorities. He said that even a missile, which had been brought over at Muhammad Fakir’s house was discovered by special dogs, while two patrolling persons of Souster group were also killed two days back, who had been distributing pamphlets threatening people to close all non-official organizations in the Agency, to avoid dressing their children with western pants, and avoid any women being sent to any school, otherwise those failing to comply would find no safe haven anywhere.
Aftab Ahmad Sherpao said that when Abu Faraj was arrested in Mardan on 05th May 2005, he had confessed his visits and connections with Maulvi Liaqat, whose house was raided and 13 foreigner elements were also arrested, which included an Uzbek among others who was later deported.
He denied the presence of any student at the time of the raid on the seminary, and denied that any accord was due the very next day of the attack. He also berated Asfandyar Wali for pretending solidarity with Pakhtoons by visiting Bajour with a 500-vehicle procession, while totally ignoring a visit to the graves of three dead youths of his constituency in Bajaur.