Pak rejects reports about 'secret negotiations' with Mehsud

Islamabad, July 29 (ANI): Pakistan Interior Advisor Rehman Malik has rebuked media reports that the government has entered into 'secret negotiations' with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Baitullah Mehsud.

Malik denied that any negotiations with Mehsud were underway.

He said military offensive against Mehsud and other extremist groups would continue until their elimination.

"The operation against Baitullah Mehsud would continue until the total elimination of the militant commander's network or his surrender," The Daily Times quoted Malik, as saying.

He said the armed forces were in pursuit of 'high-profile' terrorists and will soon capture them.

Malik also denounced the notion that Islamabad was conducting operations against terrorists due to pressure from foreign countries.

He said the security concerns of regional countries were inter-linked, so cooperation between them would help counter the problem effectively. (ANI)