TTP announce conditions for ceasefire

  • February 19, 2014, 7:14 pm
  • National News
  • 101 Views

PESHAWAR, Feb 19 (ONline): The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Wednesday put forth their conditions for ceasefire, days after the militant group killed 23 Pakistan army soldiers in revenge for the killing of their colleagues.

Speaking from an undisclosed location, TTP spokesman Shahidullah Shahid said that killing and dumping bodies of TTP members should immediately be stopped.

“Our fighters are being targeted, arrested and killed in fake police encounters. The government's negotiations team should ensure our committee that this would immediately stop,” said the TTP spokesman.

Shahid said that a ceasefire may be reached if the government ensures the committee that their demands will be met.

Peace talks between to end years of violence by the militant group reached a deadlock earlier this week after the killing of the 23 soldiers.

The soldiers had been kidnapped from Shongari checkpost in Mohmand tribal region in 2010 and were killed in captivity to avenge what they called the custodial killing of their ‘fighters’ in various parts of Pakistan.

Following the killings, a four-member team of government negotiators said it would not be able to carry forward the talks process in the wake of continuing deadly attacks by the militants.