Fazlullah vows Taliban will 'bounce back' from current state of 'illness'

Peshawar, Sep.12 (ANI): Following the confirmation of the arrest of five of its important Shura members including the spokesperson Muslim Khan, Swat Taliban chief Maulana Fazlullah has admitted that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has been weakened in the region.

In a pre-recorded message conveyed by TTP's makeshift spokesman Salman, Fazlullah said Taliban's movement was in a state of 'illness', but vowed that the banned out fit will continue its struggle and will bounce back.

"The Taliban movement is presently in a state of illness. When you are ill, your activities are curtailed. That is what has happened to Taliban organisation, but it would bounce back," The News quoted Fazlullah, as saying.

He said each of the Taliban operatives are ready to 'embrace martyrdom' like their slain chief Baitullah Mehsud.

"Like Baitullah Mehsud, all Taliban fighters want to embrace martyrdom. Getting arrested while fighting for a cause is no big deal for the Taliban," Fazlullah said.

He also said that the Taliban now does not trust the Pakistan Army, as it arrested its members after calling them for 'peace talks'.

Earlier, ISPR Director General Major Athar Abbas rejected reports regarding initiating a peace process with the Taliban.bbas said there could be no talks with the terrorists.

"We have already declared that no talks will be held with any terrorist. If they want to surrender, they should lay down their arms and hand themselves over to the law-enforcement agencies," an ISPR spokesman added. (ANI)