Lahore, Oct 16 : Official sources in North West Frontier Province (NWFP) have revealed that the Pakistan unit of the Taliban, the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) has an annual budget of around Rs four billion, giving hefty salaries to its cadres.

The officials told a Pakistan-based TV channel that while a government security force soldier is paid a monthly salary of Rs 3000, the Taliban mercenary gets Rs 6000 a month.

And, the Local Taliban commanders receive as much as Rs 20,000 a month, the Daily Times quoted the TV channel as saying.

The officials further said that the Taliban fighters had almost taken over Bajaur Agency before the government launched a security operation there.

They added that the Taliban had killed more than 600 pro-government tribal leaders until now, and stressed on the need for short-term and long-term steps to counter tribal insurgencies and to carry out development projects in the region. (ANI)