"That is why we have announced a ban on polio vaccinations," the pamphlet said.
There was no official word on the Taliban ban as political authorities in North Waziristan Agency have little say in running the affairs of the region, which US and Afghan officials have described as a safe haven for Taliban and Al Qaeda elements.
A local resident, requesting anonymity, said the pamphlet requested parents to avoid the vaccination of their children till drone strikes continued in Waziristan.
Though the drones carried out quite a few missile strikes in South Waziristan this year, it seemed the Taliban there got the idea from their fellow fighters in the neighbouring North Waziristan where the militants led by Hafiz Gul Bahadur first banned anti-polio vaccination campaign as a protest over frequent drone strikes.
This strategy of the militants may not help stop drone strikes as nine unmanned spy planes were seen flying at low altitude over Miranshah, Mir Ali and other villages in North Waziristan on Monday. The ban on anti-polio campaign by Pakistani Taliban has drawn attention of national and international donors.
The federal government has expressed serious concern over the ban on anti-polio and urged Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Masood Kausar to open a dialogue with the militant group for resuming the anti-polio campaign in the volatile tribal region.
Shahnaz Wazir Ali, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication Programme, recently sent a letter to the governor and showed serious concern over Taliban’s opposition to anti-polio campaign in North Waziristan.
Efforts were made to seek comments of the political agent of South Waziristan about the Taliban’s move against polio campaign, but he could not be approached.
Earlier, warlord Hafiz Gul Bahadur had banned the administration of oral polio vaccine to children in North Waziristan, also demanding cessation of US drone attacks.
A military operation in South Waziristan had displaced tens of thousands of people, many of whom had migrated to North Waziristan .
In March, health authorities said a seven-month old child in North Waziristan Agency had been diagnosed with polio. Experts in the National Institute of Health in Islamabad said the child was infected with a strain of the polio virus that was found in 14 cases previously registered in Waziristan, proving that the virus was prevalent in the region.
A local leader said several polio cases were detected this year in Datta Khel area, which has witnessed several US drone strikes.
The residents of Datta Khel had refused to administer anti-polio drops to children. A total of 11 polio cases were reported in North Waziristan last year.
The US has stepped up its drone campaign in Waziristan since late May and dozens have been killed in missile strikes by the CIA-operated spy planes.
The ban on the anti-polio campaign was the second major decision made by Taliban militants in a week in the restive Waziristan tribal region that could affect tribesmen.
Last week, the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan asked Mehsud tribesmen in South Waziristan to leave their homes, saying the militants were in a state of war with the Pakistan government.
A Taliban pamphlet had warned all contractors and NGO workers would be targeted by militants as they had never been allowed to work in South Waziristan.