Islamabad (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The members of Tehrik-e-Taliban, the Taliban in Pakistan, are reportedly preparing a series of attacks against foreign aid workers deployed in the country and engaged in disaster relief to flood victims, according to reports made yesterday by an anonymous senior U.S. government source.
According to the information made available to the U.S. government, the "Pakistani Taliban are preparing attacks against foreigners involved in relief operations underway in Pakistan." These were activated after the unprecedented floods in recent days, which affected approximately 17.2 million people.
The Taliban, the source concluded, "may also prepare attacks on federal and provincial leaders in Islamabad." The aim is to exploit the humanitarian catastrophe for accreditation as the only organization able to give practical help to people who have been brought to their knees.
Currently, the international community is collecting funds for the northern provinces of Pakistan, the hardest hit by the rains which destroyed infrastructure and homes. The United States, who lead a "group" of donor countries have reached 700 million dollars in aid. However, according to the UN, a further 800 million is needed.