Operation underway despite ceasefire: Shahidullah Shahid

Published March 12, 2014
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesman Shahidullah Shahid (R). — Photo by AFP
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesman Shahidullah Shahid (R). — Photo by AFP

ISLAMABAD: Security forces continue operations, arrests and torture of Taliban members despite the announcement of a ceasefire, Shahidullah Shahid, the spokespersons of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, claimed in a statement issued to the press, DawnNews reported.

The statement added that raids, arrests and torture of prisoners was a violation of the ceasefire.

Giving details of the claims, the statement said that search operations and mortar shelling continued in Mohmand tribal region whereas several members of the banned outfit were arrested in Karachi, Swabi, Charsadda and Peshawar.

The spokesperson further said that the TTP had no link with the Ahrarul Hind and Jundullah militant organisations.

He added that there were several elements withing the government ranks which were affecting dialogue process.

The TTP, an umbrella group of several militant factions, has waged a bloody seven-year war against the Pakistani state, leaving thousands dead in the violence.

Prime Minister had announced the initiative of holding peace talks with the Taliban earlier in January this year.

Peace talks between the government and Taliban struck an impasse last month after the Taliban-linked militants murdered 23 kidnapped Pakistani soldiers.

The killings resulted in multiple targeted airstrikes by the military against suspected hideouts in the tribal northwest.

The Taliban then announced a one-month ceasefire which was reciprocated by the government which halted its airstrikes targeting militants and their hideouts.

The talks process has entered its decisive stage now with the government announcing the formation of a new committee to mediate with the Taliban's negotiating committee.

Opinion

Broken promises

Broken promises

Perhaps the biggest impediment to the successful mainstreaming of ex-Fata and its development has been the lack of funding.

Editorial

Wake-up call
09 Nov, 2024

Wake-up call

THE United Nations Human Rights Committee has sent a clear message to the government: it must work to bring the...
Foreign banks’ exit
09 Nov, 2024

Foreign banks’ exit

WHY are foreign banks leaving Pakistan? In the last couple of decades, we have seen a number of global banking...
Kurram protest
09 Nov, 2024

Kurram protest

FED up with the state’s apathy towards their plight, the people of Kurram tribal district took to the streets on...
IHK resolution
Updated 08 Nov, 2024

IHK resolution

If the BJP administration were to listen to Kashmiris, it could pave the way for the resumption of the political process in IHK.
Climate realities
08 Nov, 2024

Climate realities

THE Air Quality Index in Lahore once again shot past the 1,000-level mark on Wednesday morning, registering at an...
Rule by fear
08 Nov, 2024

Rule by fear

THE abduction of an opposition MNA, as claimed by PTI, is yet another grim episode in Pakistan’s ongoing crisis of...