In a bid to rescue people held hostage by terrorists at the Counter-Terrorism Department’s (CTD) compound in Bannu, Pakistani authorities opened talks with the leadership of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Afghanistan, said Mohammad Ali Saif, spokesperson of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, on Monday.
As per a foreign news agency, Pakistani authorities opened talks to try to resolve a stand-off with the TTP who were holding several security personnel hostage after seizing control of a counter-terrorism facility in the country's northwest a day earlier.
"We are in negotiations with the central leaders of the Pakistani Taliban in Afghanistan," said Saif.
The spokesperson warned of strict action if the armed men do not surrender.
Internet services have been suspended in Bannu and the roads leading to and from the Bannu Cantonment have been blocked.
Miranshah Road and Jumma Khan Road are closed for all sorts of movements. The sources have claimed that the terrorists are demanding a safe air route to Afghanistan.
Jirga left for Afghanistan
In a bid to defuse tension at Pak-Afghan Chaman border, a 16-member jirga comprising eminent clerics, local elders and traders left for Afghanistan to negotiate with the TTP’s leadership on Monday.
Talking to journalists ahead of leaving the country, Mufti Muhammad Qasim said they are carrying a “message of peace and friendship” with them.
“We received positive response from the Afghan authorities,” he added. The cleric added that loss of the common man is not in anyone’s interest.
Following the contacts and negotiations, the ongoing tension would be defused, hoped Malik Abdul Khaliq Achakzai.
Four policemen martyred
A day earlier, for police personnel were martyred and as many others wounded in an overnight terrorist attack on the Bargai Police Station of Lakki Marwat area.
Terrorists launched an armed assault on the police station from two sides. A fierce exchange of fire took place between the police and the outlaws that left four policemen dead and as many injured.
The attackers escaped after the assault. Police have launched a search operation in the area for the saboteurs.
Constables Ibrahim, Imran, Khairur Rahman and Sabz Ali are among the deceased.
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