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February 5, 2010

BBC News: Bombs and beatings - Life among the Taliban

From Pakistan correspondent Orla Guerin comes this must-read account of life with the Taliban as told by a 13-year-old girl called Meena, who says her own family tried to turn her into a suicide bomber. Although there is no independent confirmation of her account but police say they believe she is telling the truth, and her information could be valuable.

Here's an excerpt:

My brother used to tell me that the place for a woman is either at home or in the grave. I was always restricted to home.

He said: "If you leave the house I'll cut off your head and put it on your chest."
My brother had been to the local school and beaten the girls and the teachers.
He said anyone who wanted to study was a friend of America.

I wanted to be a doctor. I wanted it so much that once I dreamt I was sitting in a hospital, working as a doctor. I wanted to help the poor, those who cannot afford medical fees.
Taliban commanders used to come to our house. There was an underground bunker beside the house, with electricity.

It was concrete and very strong. Cars would drive on top but no-one would realise what was underneath. In that hideout they used to train suicide bombers.
Most were children of my age or younger than me. They were used for these activities because they were too young to know any better.

Going to 'paradise'

I used to see these children getting on a vehicle to go for their missions. They used loud Islamic CDs to motivate them.
And I would think, "My God, more Muslims are going to be buried". Then the news would come that more Muslims were wiped out.

As for how she now feels about the Taliban: "The Taliban slaughter other people's children. They turn women into widows. They should be made to suffer too. I want these Taliban to be burned alive."

And let's not forget that most of the people the Taliban kill are Muslims. If the Taliban don't give a damn about the lives of other Muslims that disagree with them or just happen to be innocent bystanders - as most are, then what does that say about the Taliban and why they must be stopped!

Posted by Abdul at February 5, 2010 7:25 AM

• BBC News: Bombs and beatings - Life among the Taliban - Feb 05, 2010