July 28, 2008	Monday	Rajab 24, 1429

MINGORA, July 27: Tehrik-i-Taliban Swat chief Maulana Fazlullah has threatened to unleash a large number of suicide bombers if the government launches a military operation in the valley.

The cleric who has been in hiding since a military operation was launched in Swat 10 months ago, appeared before the media at a government school in Tawan village of Kabal on Sunday.

He said the Taliban were prepared to defend themselves and foil any government attack.

He said the retaliation this time would be more deadly than ever in the past.

He said the Taliban would not hesitate to answer the security forces’ action in the same coin.

“Bullets will invite bullets while talks will be welcomed with talks,” he said.

He said jihad against infidels in Afghanistan and Pakistan would continue with zeal and spirit.

He said his supporters were waiting for the orders of the central leadership of the Tehrik-Taliban Pakistan. A line of action would be devised in the light of the directive of TTP chief Baitullah Meshud, he said.

About the peace accord reached with the NWFP government on May 21, Maulana Fazlullah said: “(As members of the) Pukhtun nation we are still bound to respect the deal but the ANP-led provincial government is using delaying tactics in honouring it.”

He alleged the government was not sincere in implementing the accord in letter and spirit.

He said the Taliban had postponed their talks with the authorities because of the lukewarm attitude of the government.

He said bombing of girls’ schools in the region was a ‘minor reaction’ of the Taliban and warned that they would surprise the whole world if so ordered by their leadership.

BLAST: A child was killed and three other people were injured in an explosion in a shop in Charbagh area.

Sources said a woman also was killed.

Local people said the boy, who belonged to Behrain, was working at a tandoor.