Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for an attack targeting security forces in North Waziristan. The incident took place in Tehsil Garyum of the North Waziristan district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
The TTP released a statement accepting responsibility for the attack. In the statement, the militant group said that the attack was a revenge for the killing of four TTP members in Hangu, KP.
Earlier today, two security personnel identified as Safdar and Sepoy Qaiser embraced martyrdom while another soldier sustained injuries in an IED attack in Garyum, North Waziristan.
The TTP statement comes amid a ‘tentative ceasefire’ understanding between the militant group and the government of Pakistan as a result of their negotiations in Afghanistan.
On Friday, it emerged that the Pakistani authorities have reached a ‘tentative understanding’ with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to agree on a peace deal that would end terrorism in the country. Dawn quoted sources privy to the development as saying that a ‘direct’ and ‘face-to-face’ dialogue took place between Pakistan government officials and the Taliban in the Khost province of Afghanistan.
A ceasefire across the country has been agreed upon, and the government has decided to release some key TTP leaders in a bid to build confidence ahead of further talks.
The report said that the number of militants who would be released remains unclear, yet this number is likely not more than two dozen. The source was further quoted as saying, “These are foot soldiers, not senior or mid-level commanders.” It added that the government was testing the waters while being cautious.
The ceasefire will come into effect after the release of TTP men, as per the sources. The truce is said to be a month-long and may be extended if the negotiations move in the right direction. Who is representing Pakistan in these talks with the TTP remains unclear.
