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Pakistan militant 'holds to deal' | |
(about 10 hours later) | |
A top Taleban commander in Pakistan has said his forces stand by a ceasefire agreement with the government, despite recent bomb attacks. | 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. | 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. | 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' | '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. | Mr Mehsud is also said to be close to reaching a peace agreement with the authorities, after ordering a ceasefire a month ago. |
We have agreed to the peace and we will stand by it unless the army attacks us first Baitullah Mehsud On Saturday he gave a news conference to a small group of invited journalists, including the BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan. | |
Our correspondent says that Mr Mehsud's fighters appeared confident and were in control of the areas that journalists were taken to see. | |
Mr Mehsud said the onus was on the government and the army to make the peace deal work. | |
"We have always stood by our word. It is the army who have broken theirs," he said. | "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. | "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." | "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. | He added that his movement was prepared to use suicide bombers if necessary. |
He made it clear that his fighters were still opposed to the US. He said he felt "personal enmity" towards America. | |
Phone tap | |
South Waziristan has seen many of the heaviest clashes between militants and the security forces in recent years. | 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. | Mr Mehsud is said to command about 20,000 pro-Taleban militants. |
The previous central government, which supported President Pervez 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. | 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. | 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. | US officials are cautiously supporting the new government's efforts to reach peace through talks. |