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Pakistan militant 'stands by deal' | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A top Taleban commander in Pakistan has said his forces stand by a ceasefire agreement with the government, despite recent bomb attacks. | |
But speaking from his south Waziristan base, Baitullah Mehsud blamed the army for recent attacks on civilians and said he would fight back if necessary. | |
Mr Mehsud denies reports he ordered the killing of ex-PM Benazir Bhutto. | |
Meanwhile a police chief and his driver were killed in a roadside bomb attack in the north-western city of Peshawar. | |
The bomb was apparently detonated by a remote control device close to their vehicle. Two police were also injured. | The bomb was apparently detonated by a remote control device close to their vehicle. Two police were also injured. |
Hours earlier, another roadside blast killed a civilian and injured three others in Bara, 15km (10 miles) away. | Hours earlier, another roadside blast killed a civilian and injured three others in Bara, 15km (10 miles) away. |
Peshawar is capital of North-West Frontier Province, where pro-Taleban militants often target security forces. | Peshawar is capital of North-West Frontier Province, where pro-Taleban militants often target security forces. |
Correspondents say the violence is the first since the formation of a new provincial government. | Correspondents say the violence is the first since the formation of a new provincial government. |
It was elected on a platform of negotiating with militants, and on Wednesday signed an agreement with pro-Taleban fighters in the troubled Swat valley. | It was elected on a platform of negotiating with militants, and on Wednesday signed an agreement with pro-Taleban fighters in the troubled Swat valley. |
'Broken word' | |
Mr Mehsud is also said to be close to reaching a peace agreement with the authorities, after ordering a ceasefire a month ago. | |
But at a news conference he said the onus was on the government and the army. | |
We have agreed to the peace and we will stand by it unless the army attacks us first Baitullah Mehsud | |
"We have always stood by our word. It is the army who have broken theirs," he said. | |
"They have attacked civilians in our area, destroyed businesses and schools and killed innocent civilians. | |
"But we have agreed to the peace and we will stand by it unless the army attacks us first." | |
He added that his movement was prepared to use suicide bombers if necessary. | |
South Waziristan has seen many of the heaviest clashes between militants and the security forces in recent years. | |
Mr Mehsud is said to command about 20,000 pro-Taleban militants. | |
The previous central government, which supported President Musharraf, said it had evidence from phone intercepts that Mr Mehsud had organised the killing of Ms Bhutto in Rawalpindi in December. | |
But Mr Mehsud described the accusations as false, and said he had "nothing against" Ms Bhutto. | |
Pakistan's new government has offered peace to any militants who renounce violence. | |
It is attempting to bring to an end a wave of bombings which has killed hundreds of people over the past year. | It is attempting to bring to an end a wave of bombings which has killed hundreds of people over the past year. |
US officials are cautiously supporting the new government's efforts to reach peace through talks. |