The Taliban have set up “schools” on the outskirts of the city, where they deliver lectures and sermons in an attempt to brainwash innocent youngsters and convince them to join their ranks, revealed 16-year-old Mohammad Salaam, the would-be suicide bomber who was arrested in a police raid yesterday.
Salaam, a student of Class IX at a school in Sohrab Goth, had a chance meeting with Tehrik-e-Taliban leader Zahir Shah at one of these schools last Ramazan, The News reported.
Shah convinced him that Muslims all over the world were being subjected to brutality and that believers were supposed to respond in kind.
“Zahir Shah said that becoming a suicide bomber was my ticket to heaven, and on the Day of Judgment, I would have nothing to worry about,” Salaam disclosed.
“He told me that each and every organ of mine will be offered in the way of God’s will, and as soon as I blow myself up, I will be in Heaven,” he added.
Taken by Shah’s promises of eternal peace, Salaam discussed his thoughts with another TTP leader, Rauf, who also encouraged and convinced him to become a suicide bomber.
As a result, the brainwashed teenager developed a resolve to blow himself up amidst American troops in Afghanistan — a desire he conveyed to militant Sher Rehman.
However, Rehman told Salaam that he did not have any contact person in Afghanistan, but added that there were “ample opportunities” in Pakistan itself.
“Sher Rehman said that we do not know the fate of those who will be killed in my attack, but one thing was certain: I will definitely go to heaven,” said Salaam, adding that Rehman advised him to go to Waziristan for further training.
“Rehman had told me that if I were to disclose my relations with them (militants), they would behead my family and me. After getting caught, however, I have realised that I was engaged in a vice,” he concluded.