By IANS,
Islamabad : The Pakistani Taliban Thursday warned of taking revenge if Myanmar fails to stop the alleged killing and arbitrary detention of Muslims in that country.
Right groups have blamed Myanmar’s security forces and Buddhists, who are in majority, for the attacks on minority Rohingya Muslims in the country’s Rakhine state.
They alleged that Muslims have been killed, raped or arbitrarily detained at the height of the ethnic unrest last month. Their properties have also been targeted.
“We want to remind our Muslims in Burma (Myanmar) that we haven’t forgotten you, we will take revenge of your blood,” Xinhua quoted the Taliban as saying.
“We warn the Pakistani government to halt all relations with Burmese government and close down their embassy in Islamabad.
“Otherwise we will not only attack Burmese interests but will also attack the Pakistani fellows of Burma one by one,” Taliban spokesman Ihsanullah Ihsan said in a statement.
The militant group has appealed to the media to apprise the people of the real situation.
“Taliban are with the Burmese Muslim brethren,” the spokesman said.
Media reports had earlier said that at least 650 Muslims were killed in Rakhine violence. Some 1,200 others were missing and 80,000 were displaced.
“Decades of discrimination have left the Rohingyas stateless, with Myanmar implementing restrictions on their movement, withholding land rights, education and public services,” Xinhua reported quoting the UN.
The Myanmar government does not recognize Rohingya Muslims and has denied citizenship, claiming they are illegal migrants. Thousands have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh.