Rehman Malik rejects militants’ unilateral truce offer

The advisor to prime minister on interior, Rehman Malik, has rejected talks offer made by Tehreek-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and said the military operation would continue until militants surrender to the government.

Talking to media in Islamabad on Sunday, he said the unilateral cease-fire announced by Taliban is not acceptable, as they had broken previous pledges. So far, more than 550 militants linked with Taliban had been killed in Bajaur operation, he added.

Malik said the cease-fire can only hold if Taliban surrender their arms publicly in Islamabad. Responding to a question, he said that some of killed and arrested militants have identified. Most of the foreign militants captured are Uzbeks. Their details will be shared with media soon.

The advisor said that Rs 80 million has been earmarked for relief and rehabilitation of the affectees, while 10,000 tents have been set up in Dir for them. To a question, he said that one of the suicide bombers caught in Wah, has told investigators that he was told that he is going to ‘kill westerners’ by his mentors.