Mehsud threatens to scrap peace accords with Pak

Peshawar, Jun 28: The chief of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, Baitullah Mehsud, has threatened to end all peace talks and scrap accords with the Pakistani Government if it does not stop its action against the Taliban, including military operations in the settled areas of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

Mehsud, who is based in South Waziristan, said through his spokesman Maulvi Omar, that the Taliban were not planning an attack on Peshawar. The Taliban however, had the capacity to take Peshawar if they wanted to do so, The News quoted him, as saying. He accused the Government of sponsoring propaganda about an impending attack on the city to justify new military operations against the Taliban. Omar pointed out that the Government had taken action against the Taliban in Nowshera, Tank and Darra Adamkhel, which he termed a provocation. "Friday onwards, we would not tolerate any more action against the Taliban anywhere in the NWFP or the FATA, said Omar.

He further quoted Mehsud as saying, "If the Government continues to take such anti-Taliban measures and launches new military operations against us, we would be justified in retaliating with attacks in the cities of Pakistan."

According to The News, "The Taliban would end peace talks with the Government and scrap peace agreements signed in Swat, Mohmand Agency and Darra Adamkhel" Mehsud threatened.

ANI