Tomb of Arabs in Kurram Agency

Rifatullah Orakzai

BBC Urdu

Publishing Date: Saturday, August 9 2003

The graves of ten Arab Mujahideen who were martyred at the hands of Pakistan's security personnel is taking the form of tombs because of the increasing flux of people to the area. The gravess; just 30 kms inside Pakistan from the border, are located at three localities in Arhawalai in the Kurram Tribal Agency. These graves are the center of attention of everybody.

These Arabs were martyred on 19 December 2001 in a firefight with the Pakistani Militia after first escaping from their custody. After the downfall of the Taleban Regime in nearby Afghanistan, these Mujahideen were escaping the American bombardment in Tora Bora Mountain range by crossing the border to Kurram Agency where they were arrested.

According to Locals, the arrested Arabs were transferred from Parachinar to Kohat Jail. When the vehicle reached Arhawalai, some of the Arabs managed to overcome the Pakistani Militia by snatching weapons from them and shooting the driver. As a result, the vehicle fell off the road into a shallow ditch and thus they managed to escape.

A local tribesman named Gul Khan comments that the escape of the Arabs created a stir amongst the people in the area. Within an hour, Pakistani and American helicopters reached the scene and started search of the Arabs by laying a joint siege of the area.

Gul Khan further says that the local population based on sympathy gave refuge to the Arabs in their homes. The government notified the people using loud-speakers from the mosques that the fugitives were not Arabs but members of the Northern Alliance who have run away from custody of the Government troops therefore anybody having knowledge of them should report to the authorities.

For three days and three nights the Americans and the Pakistanis conducted a joint operation. During this time, 10 Arabs were martyred and some were arrested again but a few managed to escape with the help of the local tribesmen.

Another local named Ghafar narrates an incident about an Arab whom he had given refuge to. He describes the event as surreal. Giving details, he narrates that the local administration had surrounded his home with the help of heavily armed militia and announced that they were coming after the Arab who was hiding in the house. He says that the injured Arab hid behind an old tractor that was lying in the corner of the house. The militia searched the house in vain but could not find the Arab. During this time, the Arab who was also armed with a gun and unexpectedly opened indiscriminate firing on the militia as a result of which one trooper died on the spot. The militia resorted to the gunfire and killed the Arab as well.

Five Arabs are buried in the village (Arhawalai) whose graves are arranged side by side next to each other. Three other Arabs are buried in Baghzai and Manda. The local people have dug a well next to these graves and a mosque is under construction with the help of charity.

There is no mark or sign on the graves regarding their bearers. Neither do the local people know the nationality of them. They just mention them as 'Arab Mujahideen'. Those who arrive for Fateha Khwani have decorated the graves with colorful flags which are visible from a great distance. Poetry regarding Jehad and the Mujahideen are written over the graves which praise the bravery of these Arabs.

Those who consider these Arabs as Terrorists, the tribesmen of Kurram Agency consider them Mujahideen e Islam and Martyrs.