Militants launch attacks amid stalemate with Pakistani government over safe exit from seized compound

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) – Suspected terrorists launched fresh attacks on security forces on Tuesday, amid talks between the Pakistani government and militants who have been holding several personnel inside a counter-terrorism facility in the country's northwest province for the past three days, officials and local media reported.

A group of militants loyal to outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), who were detained and being interrogated at the counter-terrorism department (CTD) facility in the Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders Afghanistan, overpowered the interrogators and took over a portion of the police station located inside a heavily-fortified cantonment area, on Sunday.

At least one security official was killed and two others were injured in a shootout between militants and security forces stationed around the seized compound.

On Tuesday, the security forces increased their presence around the compound, while all educational institutions in the district were closed until further notice.

The militants demand a "safe passage" to the tribal districts of North and South Waziristan.

The government, for its part, once again rejected the militants' demand, calling on them to "lay down arms."

Muhammad Ali Saif, a spokesman for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, in a statement said the government will not budge to any demands from militants, warning them of "stern" action if they do not lay down their arms.

- Fresh attacks

Suspected militants stormed another police station late Monday night in Wana, the headquarters of the restive South Waziristan tribal district, which is also the TTP's birthplace.

Farhan Khan, the district police chief, told reporters that around 50 heavily armed militants stormed the police station and briefly took control of the compound.

However, they fled, however, when reinforcements of police and paramilitary troops arrived on the scene.

At least, one fleeing attacker was killed and a policeman was injured in an exchange of fire, he added.

Another attack on a police checkpoint was reported in the Ghicha area of the same tribal district, which was also repealed, local broadcaster Geo News reported, citing security officials.

The latest attacks are the aftermath of rescinding a fragile cease-fire between Pakistani security forces and the TTP, which could last only a few months. Both sides blame each other for the breach of the agreement.

Pakistan has seen a surge in terrorist attacks from the Afghan side of the border, following the Taliban's storming back to power in Kabul in August last year.

Islamabad has been urging the Taliban to live up to their commitments to rein in terrorist groups and not to allow them to use Afghan soil as a launch pad for attacks.