2:40PM BST 27 Jun 2012
Rob Crilly in Islamabad
PAKISTANI militants have gunned down the leader of anti-Taliban militia in the north-western city of Peshawar, after repeated attempts on his life.
The bodies of Fahimuddin – who used only one name - and three of his associates were found dumped in a Toyota LandCruiser on the outskirts of the city on Wednesday.
He had developed a reputation as a fearless Dirty Harry-style Taliban hunter since giving up his profitable property business to found a 1500-strong "lashkar", or private army, in 2009.
Saifullah Mahsud, director the Fata Research Centre, an independent thinktank which studies Pakistan's tribal areas, said Fahimuddin was known as the most popular and most effective of the anti-Taliban militias.
"He was a former mayor and was popular enough to attract a lot of men to his lashkar," he said.
"Anyone who was attacked as many times as he was must have been doing a very good job." On patrol he was famous for wearing a custom-made, black leather jacket over his traditional shalwar kameez, its pockets loaded down with grenades and Kalashnikov magazines.
His lashkar was one of dozens of pro-government tribal militias operating throughout Pakistan's north-west frontier areas, part of an attempt to mobilise communities against local Taliban commanders.
It formed a protective shield around Peshawar, keeping back militants from Khyber province, which borders Afghanistan.
But the position came with huge risks.
Soon after setting up the lashkar, Fahimuddin's house was attacked by 50 militants, some of whom used burqas to avoid security checks before opening fire.
He also survived at least three suicide bombings and several roadside bomb attacks.
Earlier this month, two of his bodyguards were killed in a suicide attack.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but suspicion immediately centred on the Pakistan Taliban and extremists of Laskhar-e-Islam.
Fahimuddin himself used to describe Mangal Bagh, the head of Lashkar-e-Islam, as his nemesis. The militant group enforces prayers five times a day and punishes people accused of prostitution, gambling and other vices – including growing moustaches.
But in one interview, Fahimuddin said he could never give up the struggle against militants.
"How can I leave my family, my village and my children? I will fight all those who attack my village whether they are Taliban, Lashkar-e-Islam or anyone else," he said.
Local police said the four bodies were found at 7am on a ring road. They had been shot at close range.
Peshawar's location at the mouth of the Khyber Pass puts it on the frontline of the war against al-Qaeda, which has produced a deadly wave of attacks across Pakistan.
In the last five years, Islamist bombers have killed more than 5000 people.
The bodies of Fahimuddin — who used only one name - and three of his associates were found dumped in a Toyota LandCruiser on the outskirts of the city on Wednesday.
He had developed a reputation as a fearless Dirty Harry-style Taliban hunter since giving up his profitable property business to found a 1500-strong “lashkar”, or private army, in 2009.
Saifullah Mahsud, director the Fata Research Centre, an independent think tank which studies Pakistan’s tribal areas, said Fahimuddin was known as the most popular and most effective of the anti-Taliban militias.
“He was a former mayor and was popular enough to attract a lot of men to his lashkar,” he said.
“Anyone who was attacked as many times as he was must have been doing a very good job.” On patrol he was famous for wearing a custom-made, black leather jacket over his traditional shalwar kameez, its pockets loaded down with grenades and Kalashnikov magazines.
His lashkar was one of dozens of pro-government tribal militias operating throughout Pakistan’s north-west frontier areas, part of an attempt to mobilise communities against local Taliban commanders.
It formed a protective shield around Peshawar, keeping back militants from Khyber province, which borders Afghanistan.
But the position came with huge risks.
Soon after setting up the lashkar, Fahimuddin’s house was attacked by 50 militants, some of whom used burqas to avoid security checks before opening fire.
He also survived at least three suicide bombings and several roadside bomb attacks.
Earlier this month, two of his bodyguards were killed in a suicide attack.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but suspicion immediately centred on the Pakistan Taliban and extremists of Laskhar-e-Islam.
Fahimuddin himself used to describe Mangal Bagh, the head of Lashkar-e-Islam, as his nemesis. The militant group enforces prayers five times a day and punishes people accused of prostitution, gambling and other vices — including growing moustaches.
But in one interview, Fahimuddin said he could never give up the struggle against militants.
“How can I leave my family, my village and my children? I will fight all those who attack my village whether they are Taliban, Lashkar-e-Islam or anyone else,” he said.
Local police said the four bodies were found at 7am on a ring road. They had been shot at close range.
Peshawar’s location at the mouth of the Khyber Pass puts it on the frontline of the war against al-Qaeda, which has produced a deadly wave of attacks across Pakistan.
In the last five years, Islamist bombers have killed more than 5000 people.
