Fearing Taliban, Pakistan Cops Resign

Ismaeel Khan is one of hundreds of cops in the restive valley of Swat who have recently resigned after being threatened by Taliban fighters to either quit or face "dire consequences."

"Around 400 cops, including myself, have resigned from our posts as we all still want to live," Khan, 42, a head constable in Swat police, told IslamOnline.net.

Mujahideen of the pro-Taliban Tehrik Nifaz Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TSNM) of Maulvi Fazlullah issued a warning to local policemen last month to resign from their posts.

"We don't want to fight you (local policemen) as you are our own people," read one of several pamphlets circulated by TSNM militants.

"Therefore, it is in your better interest to either leave your jobs or get ready for dire consequences."

The pamphlets advised local policemen to advertise their in local newspapers if they quit their jobs.

Khan, like many colleagues, was initially defiant to cow to the threats but continuing ambushes targeting military and police convoys changed his mind.

"I consulted with my other friends, who all were of the same opinion that we should quit our jobs to save our lives."

They published a joint advertisement in a local newspaper informing the Taliban militants that they have quit the police force.

"It was a hard decision to take as I left my 16-year long service," said a visibly moved Khan.

A senior police officer of the North Western Frontier Province (NWFP), which borders Afghanistan, confirmed the resignation of around 350 local policemen.

"Yes, ads regarding their resignations from the police force are being published in local newspapers in order to save themselves and their families from Taliban," he told IOL requesting anonymity.

"We cannot stop them. We are fully aware of their position. They are locals and they have to live there."

Khan, the head constable in Swat police, believed he had no other option but comply to the militants' demand.

"It was my job. I had been earning livelihood for my family, but I realized that there was no other option left for me because of the complete insecurity," he told IOL.

"Even army troops who live in heavily cordoned off places are not safe, let alone us (policemen) who are locals and an easy target."

Some 102 policemen have been killed in the past 10 months in militant attacks in Swat and neighboring areas.

Many of them were first kidnapped and later slaughtered by suspected Taliban militants, while some of them reportedly committed suicide.

"It was a hard decision to take as I left my 16-year long service," said a visibly moved Khan.

He was about to be promoted to the rank of assistant sub-inspector before his resignation.

"I had been waiting for this moment for last many years. In police departments, promotion for rankers (those who joint the police department as constable and do not appear in particular examinations) is always a dream.

"In fact, I had started receiving advance greetings, but my dream was hijacked by insecurity and uncertainty," he lamented.

The senior NWFP police officer said they have recommended to the federal and the provincial governments announcing some incentives for the Swat police in order to boost up their morale.

"However, I doubt that it will yield any positive results because life is more precious than any incentives."