TTP denies negotiations, ceasefire with Pakistan govt

TTP denies negotiations, ceasefire, claim responsibility of DIK police station attack

By Saleem Mehsud

PESHAWAR, Nov 23: The spokesman for banned Tahreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Ehsanullah Eshan on Wednesday denied reports of a ceasefire when the militant group attacked Pakistani policemen and killed two policemen, injuring seven others.

The spokesman said that the TTP was not negotiating peace deal with the government of Pakistan, adding that media was indulged in publishing fabricated material about the TTP and government talks.

Eshan further said that Taliban claimed responsibility of attack on the police station in Dera Ismail Khan which is obvious indication that TTP has not abandoned attacking targets in Pakistan.

The foreign media on Tuesday reported that a senior commander of the militant group, on the condition of anonymity, had said that the ceasefire had been in place for the past month and that TTP has abandoned attacks inside Pakistan from October.

On Wednesday an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) and another policeman were killed and seven others police personnel injured when militants carrying rocket propelled grenades and other heavy arms attacked a police station in the Draband in Dera Ismail Khan.

Sources said that the attack took place at around 4:40am on Wednesday when a huge explosion was heard near the police station building.

“There were about 8-10 armed men that attacked the police station with rockets, one of our officials was killed while five others were injured,” District Police Officer (DPO) Sohail Khalid told private TV channel. However, DPO ruled out the possibility of any prior information of the attack.

“It was an attack by militants, most probably from the tribal belt,” he said. The ASI who was killed was identified as Akram. SHO Zulfiqar and other police personnel were shifted to a hospital in DI Khan City where they were treated.

The police station received considerable damage with bullet holes in the walls. Sources said the militants took away the arms present in the building at the time.