TTP negotiators in Miramshah

Published February 9, 2014

MIRAMSHAH: Negotiators representing the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in the talks with the government reached Miramshah, North Waziristan, on Saturday for consultation with the Taliban Shura.

Official sources said that Prof Mohammad Ibrahim, Maulana Yousaf Shah and Maulana Haseeb arrived in Miramshah in a military helicopter.

They were briefed at the office of the political agent. Later they were taken to an unspecified place for talks with the Taliban high command.

Maulana Yousaf Shah, coordinator of the Taliban negotiating team, is representing Maulana Samiul Haq, but details about Maulana Haseeb were not available.

Peshawar Bureau adds: The TTP chapter of Mohmand Agency alleged that bodies of two of its activists had been found on the outskirts of Peshawar on Saturday.

A spokesman said his organisation was sceptical of the success of negotiations because it now had doubts about the government’s sincerity.

Ehsanullah Ehsan, spokesman for 'Commander’ Umar Khalid Khurasani, said Mohammad Zaib and Asad were kidnapped by security forces on Jan 20 and Jan 22 from phase 6, Hayatabad Township. Their bodies were found in Matani and University Town areas.

He said it was unfortunate the killings took place at a time when talks between the TTP and the government had started. “The government wants to cheat us once again as it had done in the past.”

He alleged that a former spokesman for the Taliban, Haji Muslim Khan, was arrested when talks were in progress while TTP chief Hakeemullah Mehsud was killed in a US drone attack.

He alleged six TTP activists were killed in a fake encounter with police in Karachi last month after start of the first round of talks.

“Now we are forced to rethink if it is possible for us to participate in such talks. Are the government and its forces not going to kill us under the pretext of peace talks and whether these incidents will not affect the future of talks.”

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