TTP says it will not be responsible for attacks on public places

At the same time, however, the group says it reserved the right to act in 'self defence'.

ISLAMABAD: Cautioning the government that certain forces may take advantage of its decision to call off the ceasefire, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has said it will not be responsible for any attacks on public places. At the same time, however, the group said it reserved the right to act in ‘self defence’.

“I want to caution the government… some forces may carry out attacks on public places while taking advantage of our refusal to extend the ceasefire,” TTP spokesman Shahidullah Shahid told reporters in Waziristan on Friday.

“The Taliban will not be responsible for attacks on public places… [but] we have the right to launch attacks in self defence,” he added while speaking at the news conference, details of which were shared with The Express Tribune by a member of the TTP.

Defending TTP’s decision to end the ceasefire, Shahid claimed the government had continued its operations against members of the group despite the ceasefire.

He also claimed the government had not responded positively to the Taliban’s ‘small demands’ – namely the release of non-combatant prisoners and removing military presence for some areas in South Waziristan. The TTP wants what it terms ‘peace zone’, which could also be used as a venue for direct negotiations with the government in the future.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 19^th, 2014.