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Taliban Move Brings Halt to Airstrikes in Pakistan Taliban Move Brings Halt to Airstrikes in Pakistan
(6 months later)
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — The Pakistani government on Sunday suspended its airstrike campaign against militants in the country’s northwestern tribal regions in response to a Taliban cease-fire, raising the prospect that peace talks between the two sides will be revived. ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — The Pakistani government on Sunday suspended its airstrike campaign against militants in the country’s northwestern tribal regions in response to a Taliban cease-fire, raising the prospect that peace talks between the two sides will be revived.
The announcement of the suspension was made by the Pakistani interior minister, Nisar Ali Khan, on Sunday evening, and came hours after military gunships targeted militant positions in the northwestern Khyber tribal area in retaliation for an attack on health workers trying to vaccinate Pakistanis against polio. Officials said that notwithstanding the suspension, they would continue to respond to provocations by militants.The announcement of the suspension was made by the Pakistani interior minister, Nisar Ali Khan, on Sunday evening, and came hours after military gunships targeted militant positions in the northwestern Khyber tribal area in retaliation for an attack on health workers trying to vaccinate Pakistanis against polio. Officials said that notwithstanding the suspension, they would continue to respond to provocations by militants.
“The government and the Armed Forces of Pakistan reserve the right to effectively respond to acts of violence,” the interior minister warned in a statement.“The government and the Armed Forces of Pakistan reserve the right to effectively respond to acts of violence,” the interior minister warned in a statement.
At least 13 people, including a child, were killed on Saturday when a group attacked a team of health workers and its security detail with guns and remote-controlled bombs in the town of Jamrud. The attack came hours before the Taliban cease-fire announcement.At least 13 people, including a child, were killed on Saturday when a group attacked a team of health workers and its security detail with guns and remote-controlled bombs in the town of Jamrud. The attack came hours before the Taliban cease-fire announcement.
In response, army gunships on Sunday morning targeted the hide-outs of a notorious militia leader allied with the Taliban, Hazrat Nabi, also known as Mullah Tamanche (Mullah Pistol), who was identified by government officials as responsible for the attack on the health team. At least five members of Mr. Nabi’s group were reported killed because of the helicopter strafing, officials said. There was no official word from militants or the government on whether Mr. Nabi was among the dead.In response, army gunships on Sunday morning targeted the hide-outs of a notorious militia leader allied with the Taliban, Hazrat Nabi, also known as Mullah Tamanche (Mullah Pistol), who was identified by government officials as responsible for the attack on the health team. At least five members of Mr. Nabi’s group were reported killed because of the helicopter strafing, officials said. There was no official word from militants or the government on whether Mr. Nabi was among the dead.
Mr. Khan called the Taliban’s announcement of a monthlong cease-fire a “positive development.” He also said that the government, since assuming power in June last year, had carried out “neither a formal military operation nor any unjustified activity.”Mr. Khan called the Taliban’s announcement of a monthlong cease-fire a “positive development.” He also said that the government, since assuming power in June last year, had carried out “neither a formal military operation nor any unjustified activity.”
Mr. Khan said a ca mpaign of aerial strikes on militant hide-outs in North Waziristan and Khyber tribal regions in February was a “reaction to terrorist activities.”Mr. Khan said a ca mpaign of aerial strikes on militant hide-outs in North Waziristan and Khyber tribal regions in February was a “reaction to terrorist activities.”
The government’s reciprocal move paves the way for resumption of peace talks, although the interior minister did not announce a timeline for future talks.The government’s reciprocal move paves the way for resumption of peace talks, although the interior minister did not announce a timeline for future talks.
Maulana Yousaf Shah, the coordinator of a committee representing the Taliban, said members of his team would meet in Islamabad, the capital, on Monday to devise a course of action. Welcoming the government announcement, Mr. Shah urged the government to send an invitation for dialogue.Maulana Yousaf Shah, the coordinator of a committee representing the Taliban, said members of his team would meet in Islamabad, the capital, on Monday to devise a course of action. Welcoming the government announcement, Mr. Shah urged the government to send an invitation for dialogue.
The government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been keen to follow the path of dialogue, despite growing calls in the country for an offensive against militant sanctuaries in North Waziristan. Analysts here say Mr. Sharif is concerned about a violent backlash, especially in Punjab Province, his political power base.The government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been keen to follow the path of dialogue, despite growing calls in the country for an offensive against militant sanctuaries in North Waziristan. Analysts here say Mr. Sharif is concerned about a violent backlash, especially in Punjab Province, his political power base.
Mr. Sharif formed a committee to hold talks with Taliban representatives on Jan. 29, but the effort foundered after militant attacks continued, and talks were formally suspended on Feb. 17 after 23 paramilitary soldiers were killed, reportedly by a faction of Taliban militants.Mr. Sharif formed a committee to hold talks with Taliban representatives on Jan. 29, but the effort foundered after militant attacks continued, and talks were formally suspended on Feb. 17 after 23 paramilitary soldiers were killed, reportedly by a faction of Taliban militants.