A surrendered fighter has revealed chilling details of how militants misused mosques in North Waziristan to plan attacks and radicalize people. The confession came during a successful security operation in Zangoti village, where the militant, Abdul Samad, laid down his arms and spoke to authorities.
Abdul Samad said he joined Taliban-linked groups in 2020 and later took part in activities that betrayed the sanctity of religious places. He described how militants used mosques to incite people against the armed forces and to give instructions on planting mines and making IEDs. According to him, the mosque was turned into a base where violent plans were hatched and shared.
Samad gave a disturbing account of the behavior inside those mosques. He said militants played immoral and obscene videos and even organized songs and dancing sessions that violated the mosque’s sanctity. He also said children were kept by commanders such as Asad Mulla and were exploited for criminal tasks. While bombs were being made, these indecent videos were shown, he revealed.
He also admitted that militants forcibly collected extortion from wealthy people and used that money to buy weapons from across the Afghan border. Samad said he entered Pakistan illegally from Afghanistan and joined a local group in Zangoti linked to commander Asad. He said what he saw in the mosques shook him to the core and made him realize the true face of these extremists.
Praising the security forces, Samad said joining the army made him happy and gave him hope. He declared that even if he ever returned to his old area, he would not rejoin the militants. In a clear message to families, he urged parents to keep their children away from these elements and to cooperate with the security forces.
This confession highlights how militant groups exploit religious spaces and local communities to carry out violent schemes. Security officials say operations like the one in Zangoti are vital to protect civilians and restore peace to the region. The public is again reminded to support ongoing efforts by the security forces to eliminate extremism and to report suspicious activity.
