‘No negotiations on the table’: Taliban deny ceasefire, attack police station in DI Khan

TTP gives out clear message after killing two police officials and injuring three more.

PESHAWAR:
Rumours of possible negotiations were dealt a severe blow when the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) main spokesman categorically denied reports of a ceasefire after the militant group attacked a police station killing two police officers and injuring three more in Dera Ismail Khan on Wednesday.

“This police station was our target and our Mujahideens have carried out this attack,” the TTP’s main spokesman, Ehsanullah Ehsan, told reporters. “We accept responsibility for the attack,” he told AFP.

“We are not talking to the government and will not be part of any dialogue with the government. This is a clear message for those who are thinking that we are involved in negotiations.”

The attack came hours after reports that the militants have announced to observe a ceasefire in the South Waziristan Agency.

Ehsan denied the ceasefire and said that they do not know about any kind of ceasefire and that they will continue to carry out such attacks.

In Wednesday’s attack two police officers were killed — including an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) — and three others were injured when militants carrying rocket propelled grenades and other heavy arms attacked the police station.

“Two of our police officers were killed in the attack and three more were injured. We also managed to kill two of the militants,” District Police Officer (DPO) Sohail Khalid told The Express Tribune.


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

“There were about eight to 10 armed men that attacked the police station with rockets,” said the DPO.

The ASI who was killed was identified as Akram. Meanwhile, Khalid 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.

Station House Officer (SHO) Zulfiqar and four other police personnel were shifted to a hospital in Dera Ismail Khan.

Sources said the militants took away the arms present in the building at the time.

(WITH ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY IFTIKHAR FIRDOUS and MANZOOR ALI IN PESHAWAR)

Published in The Express Tribune, November 24th, 2011.
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