PESHAWAR: Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad has said that a delegation has been sent for talks with the banned hard-line organisation Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) but it is unlikely to bring talks.
Briefing the Senate Committee on Home Affairs, the minister said that Afghan Taliban had initially negotiated with the TTP and tried to pursue the militants group to settle issues with Pakistan but the process was stopped as the TTP’s conditions were unacceptable.
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The Interior Minister informed that TTP’s militants are hiding in the border areas of Afghanistan and recently several of its splintered groups have made alliance. He claimed that recently two of the TTP terrorists have been killed in Islamabad.
Sheikh Rashid said that the terms and conditions of TTP were not “acceptable” to government; therefore, the ceasefire agreement could not be further extended. “Our people have gone for talks with the militant group but there are indications that negotiations will not be successful because they are stick to their terms,” the minister informed.
Briefing about the recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan, he said that they have intercepted communication between terrorists and their handlers in Afghanistan and India. He informed that seven security men, including a major, has martyred in the attacks. “Terrorists can carry out attacks anywhere in the country. We have directed all chief secretaries to keep security forces in high alert,” he added.
Senator Sarfraz Bugti also said that terrorists in Balochistan have used internet during the attacks and were in live contact with their masters through WhatsApp.
Talking to media later, the Interior Minister said that situation in Balochistan could be improved through dialogues but only with those who lay down arms and accept the law and constitution. Sheikh Rashid said, “Our effort is to bring everyone within the ambit of constitution and law, but if someone is attacking the Pakistan Army or the Civil Armed Forces, then they will be dealt with an iron hand.”