Lahore, Apr. 27 : The Pakistan Army has distributed pamphlets in Laddah, the second largest town in South Waziristan, confirming a peace deal with Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud.

According to a Voice of America (VOA) report, the pamphlets state that the army had implemented a cease-fire even before signing the peace deal, and after it had eliminated militants from Jandola and its adjoining areas.

The army has also opened roads linked with the South Waziristan agency to facilitate travel in the area.

The army’s confirmation came a day after Mehsud said that some militants in Pakistan’s tribal areas and in the neighbouring North West Frontier Province (NWFP) are still engaging Pakistani security forces in conflict, completely unaware of the cease-fire declared by Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which he heads.

According to The News, Mehsud has expressed distress over the bombings in places like Mardan, and according to TTP spokesman Maulvi Omar, the Taliban stands by its commitment not to attack Pakistani security forces and government installations during negotiations between the two warring sides.

He said that Baitullah Mehsud had to issue an emergency statement retraining his fighters from launching fresh attacks after he had heard that they were planning to undertake offensives in Tank and Dera Ismail Khan in Pakistan’s South Waziristan region.

The Elan-e-Umoomi or general statement was written in Urdu, and effectively said that militants were not to indulge in any act of violence. He also used very harsh language, warning the fighters of strict punishment if they violated his edict.

According to Omar, the talks with the government are at a very sensitive stage, and once concluded, would be presented to the Jirga for approval. (ANI)