By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistani Taliban Sunday announced unilateral ceasefire in the tribal region of Bajaur at the request of tribal elder, a Taliban spokesman said.
A jirga, or council of elders, was requesting Taliban to suspend all actions against the security forces and Taliban accepted their request, Maulvi Umar said.
He said that Taliban and tribal elders had held successful talks over the past three days, adding that the people also called for ceasefire.
Interior Advisor Rehman Malik said the forces will not accept the ceasefire unless Taliban lay down arms. He asked Taliban to accept their mistakes.
“Taliban have secured assurance that the security forces will also stop actions,” Umar said.
On the other hand the army says it is unaware of any ceasefire. An army spokesman major Murad said that no decision has yet been taken to stop the operation in Bajaur.
“The operation will continue till the targets are achieved,” he said.
He said the incidents of violence have decreased over the past three days. But the operation against militants will continue till the government writ is established.
Body of a man was found near Khar, the center of Bajaur, who was killed on suspicion of spying on Taliban. The man was strangulated to death, witnesses said.
A note was found near the body which said that the man was a spy, warning other people they will face the same fate if they spied on Taliban.
The forces launched a major operation in Bajaur earlier this month. Army says that over 200 militants have been killed but Taliban deny high casualty number and claim that heavy losses were inflicted on the army.
Up-to 30 civilians, including women and children have been killed during the clashes, local tribesmen say.