MAMOUZAI, Nov 26: A Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan leader has vowed to increase attacks on Nato and US forces in Afghanistan and block their supply lines through Pakistan’s tribal areas.

Hakeemullah, a lieutenant of TTP chieftain Baitullah Mehsud, also threatened to target President Asif Ali Zardari and his allies and said his fighters would attack army troops because they continued to conduct operations against his followers.

“We will increase attacks on the Nato and US forces based in Afghanistan and the supply of goods from Pakistan to these forces,” Hakeemullah told reporters taken on a rare trip to the group’s stronghold in Orakzai tribal region.

The journalists were escorted from Peshawar to the rebels’ hideout on Tuesday, travelling more than eight hours to meet the Taliban leader in Mamouzai.

The AFP journalist on the trip said he saw no law-enforcement personnel for the final half of the journey to the hideout deep in the mountainous area.

“We will not lay down arms as long as Pakistan’s army does not stop operations against us,” Hakeemullah said, adding that his chief Baitullah was in good health.

It was recently reported that Mehsud was seriously ill but independent verification of his condition has not been possible.

Hakeemullah said his fighters would target political leaders in Pakistan.

“We will also carry out attacks against the Pakistan People’s Party and Awami National Party leadership,” he said.

While journalists were at Mamouzai a US spy plane appeared overhead, prompting about 60 Taliban fighters on the ground to open fire but no damage was done to the aircraft.

Hakeemullah condemned the more than 20 US missile attacks over the past few months against militant targets in the rugged tribal territory bordering Afghanistan, saying “such strikes only strengthen our resolve to continue our jihad”.

“We have killed around a dozen people who were spying for the United States and our enemies and we will continue to kill spies,” he said.

Asked why his group has attacked tribal people and mosques, Hakeemullah said they were targeted because of their alliance with Pakistani and US forces.

“Suicide and other attacks on tribal people and their places where they plan action against us are justified,” he said.

The group showed journalists an armoured vehicle which Hakeemullah said had been seized from a truck that was delivering it to Nato forces across the border.One of the Taliban fighters drove the vehicle to demonstrate it was in working condition.—AFP

Our Correspondent adds: TTP spokesman Maulvi Omar has warned that Taliban will carry out attacks on government installations throughout the country if it does not stop military operation in tribal areas.

Talking to newsmen on phone from an unspecified place, the spokesman said the TTP Shura at a recent meeting expressed concern over continuing military operation in Bajaur, Mohmand and Darra Adamkhel regions.

He said a final decision about attacks would be taken at the next meeting of the Shura to be held in a few days. The TTP had so far fought a “defensive war” but, he warned that the “backlash” would be difficult for the government to cope with.

He urged the government to show flexibility in its policy towards Taliban and renewed TTP’s offer for dialogue. However, he rejected government’s condition for surrender before talks.