PESHAWAR: Tribesmen in Miramshah and Mirali areas of the North Waziristan Agency in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan have taken to hoisting Pakistans national flag to literally flag their allegiance to the government in order to seek protection from aerial bombings. However, this has led to a backlash from disgruntled militant groups such as the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) which has decided to announce its displeasure by hoisting black flags with the Kalma inscribed on it, terming it a battle of the flags.
Dawn reports that, according to people in Miramshah, the headquarters of North Waziristan, the sale of the national flag had increased as more and more people in the town, adjoining villages and Mirali wanted to hoist it to demonstrate their allegiance to the state and escape bombing.
The sale of Pakistani flag has increased and we also have hoisted one on our rooftop, a resident said. Big flags on high masts can be seen everywhere, he said.
But the move has upset the militant group which criticised what it called weak-hearted Muslims for using flags as a defence to ward off bombings and vowed to counter it with black flags with the Kalma inscribed on it.
In a message posted on the website of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU)- Abu Ibrahim- the German jihadist also known as Yassin Chouka, said local tribesmen frightened by army attacks and bombings by military planes, helicopters and artillery had begun hoisting the national flag on the roofs of their houses.
We still have not understood how effective this defence system is against bombs and rockets, he said.
The IMU, comprising militants from Uzbekistan and of Turkish origin, has its main base in the town of Mirali.
It has released statements and videos on the aftermath of military action in the towns main bazaar and nearby areas.
The has prompted local tribals to leave for other places, while others who could not do so started hoisting the Pakistani flag to ward off air strikes.
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