Taliban seize 22 Pak paratroopers
PESHAWAR: The Pakistani Taliban have seized at least 22 men from a regional paramilitary force in attacks on three checkpoints in northern Pakistan, a regional official said on Thursday.
Taliban and other Pakistani sources put the figure at 30. The raids close to the provincial capital of Peshawar follows two high-profile attacks in the city this month, underlining the Taliban's willingness to take on the Pakistani state amid speculation of divisions among senior Talibani leadership.
At least 22 men were missing, two had been killed and one was injured after militants armed with rocket-propelled grenades and rifles launched the overnight attacks, said Naveed Akbar, a regional official whose remit covers the Levies, or tribal force, units.
Eight of the paramilitary soldiers have been killed, Taliban spokesman Mohammed Afridi said in Khyber agency, or region. He said the group had captured 30 soldiers. Another spokesman, Ihsanullah Ihsan, said 33 were taken.
However, military sources said no soldiers or police were missing.
The kidnappings follow a daring suicide attack on Peshawar airport and a bombing that killed a senior politician and eight others at a political rally in the city earlier this month.
It was not immediately clear whether the uptick in attacks was connected to speculation that the head of the Pakistani Taliban, Hakimullah Mehsud, is losing control to his deputy.
There are many divisions within the group. One main point of contention is whether to focus on attacking US forces in Afghanistan or the military in Pakistan.
Terror outfit outlines riders for truce
The Pakistani Taliban have outlined conditions for a ceasefire, including the adoption of Islamic law and a break with the United States, a spokesman said on Thursday, an offer a senior government official described as "preposterous". The outfit, in a letter sent to The News, also demanded that Pakistan stop its involvement in the war pitting Afghan insurgents against the Kabul government and refocus on a war of "revenge" against India. Responding to the letter a government official said, "They are a bunch of criminals... No one can take such an offer or terms seriously. The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan is not a proper entity, certainly not one any government can negotiate with."
Taliban seize 22 Pak paratroopers - The Times of India
Firstly
Liars..... accept the happening and do something to resolve..........then living in eternal denial like always
Secondly
Its an official confirmation from the horses mouth that pakistan state is involved in Anti India activites in so called "Revenge against India"