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Pakistani militants abandon deal Pakistani militants abandon deal
(about 3 hours later)
A group of Taliban militants in a Pakistani tribal area bordering Afghanistan say they have scrapped a peace deal with the government. A wing of the Taliban based in a Pakistani tribal area bordering Afghanistan say they have scrapped a peace deal with the government.
The faction, led by Hafiz Gul Bahadur, in North Waziristan withdrew from the deal as the army stepped its offensive against the Taliban in the north-west. The group led by Hafiz Gul Bahadur in North Waziristan withdrew from the deal as the army stepped up its offensive against the Taliban in the north-west.
The announcement comes a day after his men ambushed a Pakistani military convoy, killing 16 soldiers.The announcement comes a day after his men ambushed a Pakistani military convoy, killing 16 soldiers.
The group signed the peace deal with the army in 2007. The militants signed the peace deal with the army in 2007.
Hafiz Gul Bahadur's group had initially pledged to stay on the sidelines during the continuing operation against the country's top Taliban commander, Baitullah Mehsud.Hafiz Gul Bahadur's group had initially pledged to stay on the sidelines during the continuing operation against the country's top Taliban commander, Baitullah Mehsud.
Neighbouring South Waziristan is where the Taliban commander is said to be based. The army wants to eliminate his network of militants based in the mountainous territory there.Neighbouring South Waziristan is where the Taliban commander is said to be based. The army wants to eliminate his network of militants based in the mountainous territory there.
'Eliminated''Eliminated'
The group said they were abandoning the peace deal because of continued US missile strikes and Pakistan's widening anti-Taliban offensive in the north-west.The group said they were abandoning the peace deal because of continued US missile strikes and Pakistan's widening anti-Taliban offensive in the north-west.
Announcing their decision, spokesman Ahmedullah Ahmedi, also said they would now carry out attacks on military targets in the region until the army left and US drones strikes were halted.Announcing their decision, spokesman Ahmedullah Ahmedi, also said they would now carry out attacks on military targets in the region until the army left and US drones strikes were halted.
PEACE DEALS SINCE 2006 Feb 2006 - May 2007: Deal with Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud for Sararogha, South WaziristanFeb 2008 - March 2008: With Baitullah Mehsud for Spinkai Raghzai and Jandola, South Waziristan Sept 2006 - June 2009: Deal with militants Hafiz Gul Bahadur and Maulvi Sadiq Noor for Miranshah, North Waziristan Mar 2007 - June 2009:Deal with militant Maulvi Nazir Ahmed for Wana, South WaziristanMay 2008 - June 2008: Deal with radical cleric Maulana Fazlullah for Swat valleyFeb 2009 - April 2009: Deal with Maulana Fazlullah for Swat
Most of the drone strikes have been targeted at Hafiz Gul Bahadur and another tribal leader, Maulvi Nazir.Most of the drone strikes have been targeted at Hafiz Gul Bahadur and another tribal leader, Maulvi Nazir.
Both leaders signed the peace deals with the army in 2007.Both leaders signed the peace deals with the army in 2007.
Pakistan conflict map Q&A: Pakistan's Swat offensive
But Maulvi Nazir also abandoned his deal when he declared war on the Pakistan army two days ago.But Maulvi Nazir also abandoned his deal when he declared war on the Pakistan army two days ago.
The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan in Islamabad says the scrapping of the deal leaves the army facing a near impossible task - no one has ever defeated a combined insurgency in the Waziristan area.The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan in Islamabad says the scrapping of the deal leaves the army facing a near impossible task - no one has ever defeated a combined insurgency in the Waziristan area.
Pakistan's army began its military offensive in the Swat valley two months ago after the earlier peace deal the Taliban there broke down.Pakistan's army began its military offensive in the Swat valley two months ago after the earlier peace deal the Taliban there broke down.
Separately, Pakistan's prime minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that the second and third tier leadership of the Pakistani Taliban have been "eliminated" in the government's offensive against the militant network.Separately, Pakistan's prime minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that the second and third tier leadership of the Pakistani Taliban have been "eliminated" in the government's offensive against the militant network.
He added that the top leaders would soon meet the same fate.He added that the top leaders would soon meet the same fate.
The full-scale operation against the Pakistan Taliban leadership in their main stronghold in the Afghan border region of South Waziristan has yet to begin, says our world affairs correspondent, Mike Wooldridge.The full-scale operation against the Pakistan Taliban leadership in their main stronghold in the Afghan border region of South Waziristan has yet to begin, says our world affairs correspondent, Mike Wooldridge.
One issue cited by the army as they prepare the ground is that they want to avoid provoking a wider tribal uprising.One issue cited by the army as they prepare the ground is that they want to avoid provoking a wider tribal uprising.