Taliban’s spokesman on Wednesday denied the group had agreed to a cease-fire or is in peace talks with the government.
Taliban spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan claimed responsibility for the attack, which came two days after a senior Pakistani Taliban commander told US-based news agency that the group declared a cease-fire across the country a month ago to encourage nascent peace talks with the government.
It’s unclear whether the conflicting statements represent opposing positions within the Pakistani Taliban leadership about whether the group should pursue peace with the government following years of fighting that has killed tens of thousands of militants, civilians and security personnel.
A third senior Pakistani Taliban commander said on Wednesday that the group has declared a cease-fire to encourage talks, but both were limited to the South Waziristan tribal area, which served as the militants main sanctuary before the military launched a large offensive in 2009.
The two senior Pakistani Taliban commanders spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.
Taliban spokesman denies cease-fire
