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Pakistan militants kill nine anti-Taliban militia members in Peshawar Pakistan militants kill nine anti-Taliban militia members in Peshawar
(about 1 hour later)
Militants killed nine members of an anti-Taliban militia on Wednesday in Pakistan's north-western city of Peshawar, police said. Militants have killed nine members of an anti-Taliban militia in Pakistan's north-western city of Peshawar, police said.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Peshawar sits near restive areas along the Afghan border that are home to Pakistani Taliban and al-Qaida-linked foreign Islamic militants.No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Peshawar sits near restive areas along the Afghan border that are home to Pakistani Taliban and al-Qaida-linked foreign Islamic militants.
The Pakistani Taliban have been waging a bloody war against the government in a bid to overthrow the authorities and enforce their hardline brand of Islamic sharia law.The Pakistani Taliban have been waging a bloody war against the government in a bid to overthrow the authorities and enforce their hardline brand of Islamic sharia law.
In Wednesday's attack, a group of about 25 militants attacked the house of militia chief Israrullah Khan on the outskirts of Peshawar, killing him and eight of his relatives, said police official Jamal Khan.In Wednesday's attack, a group of about 25 militants attacked the house of militia chief Israrullah Khan on the outskirts of Peshawar, killing him and eight of his relatives, said police official Jamal Khan.
The official said that earlier in February, the militia chief's son and two other people were also killed after they shot dead a militant commander.The official said that earlier in February, the militia chief's son and two other people were also killed after they shot dead a militant commander.
Khan was the head of the militia supported by the Pakistani government to fight and block infiltration of the militants from the surrounding tribal regions, the official said. He said the attackers first lobbed handgrenades into a guest house in the Khan family compound, then opened fire with automatic rifles when the inmates ran outside.Khan was the head of the militia supported by the Pakistani government to fight and block infiltration of the militants from the surrounding tribal regions, the official said. He said the attackers first lobbed handgrenades into a guest house in the Khan family compound, then opened fire with automatic rifles when the inmates ran outside.
The attack came a day after assailants threw grenades into a crowded cinema in Peshawar, killing 13 people. No one claimed responsibility for that attack either but many militant groups view movies and other forms of entertainment as obscene western influences.The attack came a day after assailants threw grenades into a crowded cinema in Peshawar, killing 13 people. No one claimed responsibility for that attack either but many militant groups view movies and other forms of entertainment as obscene western influences.
The attacks come at a time when Pakistan is trying to hold peace negotiations with Taliban militants fighting in the country's north-west to end the violence that has killed thousands of security forces personnel and civilians in recent years.The attacks come at a time when Pakistan is trying to hold peace negotiations with Taliban militants fighting in the country's north-west to end the violence that has killed thousands of security forces personnel and civilians in recent years.
The Pakistani Taliban, formally called Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, is separate from the Taliban fighting Nato forces in neighbouring Afghanistan. Although the two groups share similar ideology, the Pakistani Taliban has focused its fight against the Pakistani government. The Pakistani Taliban, formally called Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, are separate from the Taliban fighting Nato forces in neighbouring Afghanistan. Although the two groups share similar ideology, the Pakistani Taliban have focused their fight against the Pakistani government.
The Pakistani prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, has made negotiating with the militants a centerpiece of his new government elected last May. The Pakistani prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, has made negotiating with the militants a centrepiece of his new government elected last May.
After some initial stumbles, the government's efforts have picked up steam in recent weeks with both sides naming people to represent them in the talks. Members of the Pakistani Taliban's negotiating team flew to the North Waziristan tribal agency over the weekend to meet with the militant organisation's leadership at a secret location. After initial stumbles, the government's efforts have picked up steam in recent weeks with both sides naming people to represent them in the talks. Members of the Pakistani Taliban's negotiating team flew to the North Waziristan tribal agency over the weekend to meet with the militant organisation's leadership at a secret location.
Maulana Samiul Haq, who heads the Taliban's negotiating team, said both the militants and the government have recommended a ceasefire as a confidence-building measure.Maulana Samiul Haq, who heads the Taliban's negotiating team, said both the militants and the government have recommended a ceasefire as a confidence-building measure.
Critics say the militants always used such peace deals to gain time to strengthen themselves and regroup.Critics say the militants always used such peace deals to gain time to strengthen themselves and regroup.