TANK, June 28: Pakistani Taliban on Saturday suspended peace talks and accused the government of going back on its word and continuing crackdown against militants.

Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud told Dawn: “The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan is suspending peace talks with the government. This will apply not just to South Waziristan but all areas, including Swat.”

He, however, did not go as far as announcing resumption of hostilities. “If the (security forces’) operations continue … people will see Sindh and Punjab turn into furnace.”

He said the people had voted the ANP and PPP into power on the premise that they would bring peace. “But now, they are talking about use of force and are launching operations against our people in Tank, Jandola and Darra Adamkhel.”

“Let the people ask their government why it has gone back on its word,” he said. “It will be unfortunate if violence engulfs the whole region again.”

The government was holding talks with Baitullah Mehsud and militant groups in Bajaur, Mohmand tribal region and the semi-autonomous arms manufacturing town of Darra Adamkhel through tribal interlocutors.

Muslim Khan, the spokesman for the militant group in Swat, told Dawn: “We have not yet received any instruction” from the Taliban leadership.

Baitullah Mehsud tried to justify the killing of members of the peace committee in Jandola and said he had repeatedly asked military authorities “to curb their criminal activities”.

“They were criminals and we had no other option but to go after them.”

Baitullah Mehsud reiterated that regardless of the situation in tribal areas, “the holy war against Americans” in Afghanistan would continue.

He warned that the militants would wage a ‘jihad’ against Pakistan Army if it helped the Americans launch attacks inside tribal areas.