Thaindian News

Peshawar, Jan 27 (ANI): The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan has asked its militants to stop attacks on Pakistan Government installations, kidnapping for ransom, bank dacoities and car snatching across the country.

A statement purportedly issued by the TTP Chief Baitullah Mehsud said: All organizers and workers are directed that Mujahideen will not damage government property, commit highway robbery, bank dacoity, kidnap people for ransom or snatch vehicles from today.

All such activities would be prohibited. No excuse that an activist had permission from the Ameer (Chief) to carry out such acts would be accepted. From now on, all previous permits meant for attacks on government installations and other activities would stand cancelled, statement added.

This is the first time that the TTP has released a statement urging its workers to stop anti-government activities, the Dawn reported.

A special force has reportedly been created to put hand on those elements violating these instructions and they would be strictly dealt with and punished for their acts.

Sources said that the statement gave the impression that the TTP was involved in kidnapping of locals and foreign diplomats, hijacking of vehicles and other anti-social activities, which had occurred in the region in the recent past and indirectly accepted its responsibility for such acts.

Public perception is that the Taliban has been involved in such crimes.

In a recent meeting, the NWFP cabinet had observed that elements associated with the militants had started kidnapping traders, professionals and government officials for fund raising.

In the wake of the growing abduction incidents, the provincial government had announced giving sweeping powers to the police force in the province.

Afghan ambassador designate Abdul Khaliq Farahi and Iranian commercial attache based in Peshawar Hashmatullah Attarzaday were kidnapped from Peshawar last year were still missing and official circles did not rule out involvement of the Taliban in the kidnapping of diplomats. (ANI)