Pakistan Army Denies Talks With Taliban

Islamabad, Nov 23, IRNA – Pakistan army on Tuesday denied reports about talks with the Taliban militants. The denial came after media reported that talks have been held between the government and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP. Reports also said that Taliban have declared ceasefire in view if the talks with the government. An army spokesman strongly and categorically refuted media reports and said on Tuesday that the Army is not undertaking any kind of negotiations with TTP or its affiliated militant groups. “Such reports are concocted, baseless and unfounded,” he said in a statement. “Any contemplated negotiation/reconciliation process with militant groups has to be done by the government, the spokesperson concluded,” the army spokesman said. Interior Minister Rehman Malik also denied any talks have been held with the Taliban. The minister, however, said Taliban have sent positive signals for the talks. He also said Taliban should shun violence before the talks are held. A commander of Taliban has been quoted as saying that the group has announced ceasefire and will not carry out attacks. The commander of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP, requesting not to be identified, said the group has not carried out any attack since October. The announcement came just a day after a Taliban commander said that the group and the government have held preparatory talks with the government. A Taliban spokesman Ihsanullah Ihsan has however denied reports about the talks. He told reporters in the northwestern city of Peshawar on phone on Tuesday that the U.S should stop attacks, Pakistan army must halt operation and Taliban prisoner be released before the talks are to be held. Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani had offered talks to the Taliban in October after nearly 60 political leaders had advised the government to hold talks to the militants to end the years of violence in the country. Gilani had warmed a military operation in North Waziristan if the talks are failed./end