Operation underway despite ceasefire: Shahidullah Shahid

Dawn.com Published March 12, 2014

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.

Pakistan

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Khangul

Mar 12, 2014 04:57pm

Just the same, terrorism and murder of innocent citizens, polio workers, and security forces also continues despite the "ceasefire". And the time is ticking away!

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Ahsan

Mar 12, 2014 05:18pm

haha, They want to stay in Karachi and Islamabad and ask Pakistanis to do Jihad with their money . They are forcing people to give them extortion money, even my cousin got a call from Taliban that AMEER is asking to submit 1 Million rupees otherwise they will blow the house and kidnap their children . Is this Islam ? ?

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khanm

Mar 12, 2014 05:19pm

Commitment. This is my favorite word because in some way, people who are committed are always much more interesting and much more reliable, and much more, I would say, deep than people who are not. Today we affirm a new commitment to live out our nation's promise through civility, courage, compassion and character. Confronting the moral dilemma both of those parties lack the characters

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Usman Khan

Mar 12, 2014 05:24pm

And the bombings and killings by all the 'other' groups have been stopped, right? Excuse to get out of the peace talks and ceasefire??

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Agha Ata

Mar 12, 2014 05:36pm

Government and Taliban, both are delaying the talks for unknown reason.

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just_someone

Mar 12, 2014 05:38pm

Although Im sure they are just making things up, they should still remember that they were asked to declare an unconditional ceasefire which they did because they were getting bombed to prehistoric times. As far as the government is concerned, it is the government's duty to the people to arrest elements that are causing harm to its people.

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Naveed Alam Khattak

Mar 12, 2014 05:47pm

Who are they to dictate the Govt and People of Pakistan. This is not their job. Govt is responsible for what to do and don't. Army, go after them with full force. No mercy.

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sara

Mar 12, 2014 06:04pm

Look who r saying ?A terrorist organization who killed more the 60000 innocents pakistanis still killing polio workers ,target killing in karachi ,and looting money from karachi ,and peshawar .shame on them.

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Last Word

Mar 12, 2014 06:23pm

Taliban and peace talks are like north and south poles that can never meet. The only language what Taliban appear to understand is either drone attacks or decisive operation against them. What is military waiting for, more deaths of the innocent people and martyrdom of soldiers ?

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M Taimur

Mar 12, 2014 06:50pm

They want to continue smuggling, kidnap for ransom and bank looting in the name of Islam. Ch Nisar should now appologize these patriotic Pakistani citizens and should immediately instruct police not to arrest any criminals if they are linked to TTP

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Haider

Mar 12, 2014 06:58pm

TTP is a criminal outfit, out to no good and should be eliminated from all parts of Pakistan. I dont understand why reputable news agency i.e., Dawn publish anything that these monsters say, or give them any air time. Focus should be on encouraging state LEA's and local issues. Please stop paying attention to these monsters.

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Notorious

Mar 12, 2014 07:35pm

Pakistan Army is all set to eliminate the most brutal group of humans on the planet earth. The only thing that can save them now is unconditional surrender. TTP should surrender and let army clean the rest of those who are not part of it. This is the only choice left now. Imran Khan and Maulana Samiul Haq, you both are advocate of talks. Please convince them to surrender themselves immediately.

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Imran

Mar 12, 2014 07:44pm

Well done army! Your job is to protect the country. This government will not be in power next term. Nawaz government does not have the skills for managing the problems we face today. They are simply incompetent. The Prime minister can't even make a proper argument for crying out loud. It's just sick.

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Deen

Mar 12, 2014 08:05pm

Talk talk is the reason why we Pakistan are stuck in this dark period of terrorism if the present and previous governments of Pakistan and also the present and previous opposition were united on the cause of fighting the terrorism then today Pakistan may have been a safer place to live.If we have start fighting these terrorist the day first terror act take place then we may have lost some Pakistani lives but the number of dead may have never exceed mere thousands but now we have lost 50000 Pakistani lives and if this talk talk goes on then we will loose more then 100 thousands and many more......

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gerry d'cunha

Mar 12, 2014 08:22pm

topi drama by the talibans - the govt it self is scared to violate ceasefire

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ahsan

Mar 13, 2014 12:23am

You cowards. You dont have an idea what an operation would be like. And it is not a matter of if but when. We will hunt you down in your caves and cleanse our cities of you.

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Munir A Khan

Mar 13, 2014 01:41am

if ttp is not attacking and if attack continued than why should govt talk with ttp as they have no say in their ranks. Govt should talk to whom who atleast can stop the attacks so the talks can be effective.

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John

Mar 13, 2014 04:12am

Tell us something new. Pakistan Army is expert in such operations why denying the truth.

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Mar 13, 2014 04:53am

Now you don't expect government to stop actions against criminals.at end of the day, that's what taliban are, common criminals.

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Victims' Advocate

Mar 13, 2014 10:03am

Pak Army never hesitate to eliminate the existential threat for this country. You have proved your mettle in Swat. You are now one of the few armies in the world that have been able to defeat terrorism and win battles against them. These few myopic politicians such as Nawaz, Imran, Samiul Haq, Munawar Hassan, are now trying to protect 'their militant wing' called TTP. They woke up when they started sensing the total extinction of TTP by Pak Army. Pak Army you are our savior. You have taken oath to protect the nation. And you have never violated this oath. I believe you will never forget the martyrdom of your officers and jawans as well as 60000 innocent Pakistani men, women and children who became victim of the mindless terrorism of TTP. Now the nation is waiting to see you slaughtering the scourge of Talibans. Don't worry about these politicians. You wipe out their proteges with bullet and we will wipe these politicians out, Insha-Allah, with the ballot in next elections. Blow the terror into smithereens.

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