Kabul: In a new development in Afghan Taliban-mediated talks, the Tehreek Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has extended ceasefire with Pakistan for another five days.
A TTP spokesman, referring to his chief’s decision, called on their fighters to respect the ceasefire decision. The ruling took effect on Tuesday, May 10.
As per the reports, a delegation from Pakistani authorities is currently in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, including former head of Pakistan’s ISI and current Corps Commander Peshawar Faiz Hameed, while the Afghan Taliban Playing the role of a mediator.
Sources say that Pakistani authorities have also released Mahmood Khan and Muslim Khan, TTP members who were arrested by the Pakistan Army during an operation in Swat.
It may be recalled the TTP had declared a ceasefire on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, which ended on May 10. A month-long ceasefire and negotiations were initiated by the TTP and Pakistani authorities in November last year, which ended without any result.
Following the ceasefire and negotiations in November, the TTP has intensified its operations in Pakistan, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The ongoing talks and ceasefire come at a time when an increase in the attacks by TTP on Pakistani forces has been seen in last few months.
The TTP has claimed responsibility for a number of attacks on Pakistani forces this year, including a massive attack on the Frontier Corps’ main camp in Tank District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on March 30.