Peshawar, Mar 22: As a mark of respect for the Eid-ul-Fitr, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had announced a three-day ceasefire from March 19 to 21 but “the impure (Pakistan) army” did not respect the festival of Muslims and carried out attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.
This was stated today by the TTP, which said it was compelled to carry out “retaliatory defensive operations” against the Pakistan army which resulted in casualties among the forces, including the killing of a Major.
In Lakki Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Pakistan army attempted to raid a location of TTP fighters during the Eid festivities on Friday (March 20), its spokesman Muhammad Khorasani said.
The defensive counter attack by the TTP resulted in the killing of two army personnel, including a Major, and injuries to 4 others, he said.
In Khyber district too, the Pakistan Army carried out an offensive against the TTP in Qambar Khel Shinkoh area on Friday, he said.
In the counter attack by the TTP, one Army Subedar was killed and three personnel, including a Major, were injured, Khorasani said.
In Tank district, he said, the Pakistan army raided a TTP position in Haider area on Thursday (March 19) in which two fighters were killed.
The Pakistani military took away their bodies and also abducted a woman, he said.
“Later, members of the so-called ‘Peace Committee’ (an army-backed militia) challenged the Mujahideen through a video message, saying if anyone was brave enough, they should take back the bodies of their martyrs and the woman,” the TTP spokesman said.
“At that very time, the Mujahideen captured a soldier of the FC (Frontier Corps) from the Pai area of Tank,” he said.
He was freed only after the release of the abducted woman and bodies of the two TTP fighters, Khorasani said.
“The FC personnel also pledged to leave his job after nine years of service and to earn a lawful livelihood,” he added.
The spokesman went on to add: “The leadership of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan had announced a three-day ceasefire on the occasion of Eid, but also clarified that if any action was taken by the army, the Mujahideen reserved the right to defend themselves.”
He also said that the Pakistani security institutions continue to carry out extra-judicial killings.
On the Eid day, a detained TTP fighter Haroon was killed in a fake encounter in Bannu district, Khorasani said.
“The sacrifices of our noble martyrs are our valuable asset, and we regard them with great respect. We will continue to avenge our martyrs,” he added.
In another incident, the Pakistan Army dropped a bomb on a civilian house in Lukhi Dara area in Khurram district on Thursday, killing an innocent person and seriously injuring three children, the TTP spokesman said. (NVI)
