Pakistan’s security forces have killed two “important and most wanted TTP terrorists”. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Tuesday that on the night of May 16 and 17, 2022, the fire exchange took place between the security forces and terrorists in the Boya area of North Waziristan.
The killed terrorists were identified as terrorist commander Rasheed alias Jabir and terrorist Abdul Salam alias Chamtoo.
During the operation, weapon and ammunition was also recovered from the killed terrorists. The killed terrorists remained actively involved in terrorist activities in the area, the ISPR press release said.
Read more: Pak Army conducts major operation in Waziristan
2 TTP Terrorists killed BY Security Forces operation in Muhamad khel, Boya, North Wazirsistan.🇵🇰
Terrorist Commander Rasheed alias Jabir_*
Terrorist Abdul Salam alias Chamtoo_*@Natsecjeff pic.twitter.com/ugzqhWoBSf— Pakistan Defence (@Defence__Pk) May 17, 2022
Peace talks in Kabul?
Interestingly, there have been several reports claiming that a military delegation from Pakistan traveled to Afghanistan to negotiate peace talks with TTP. However, there has been no official confirmation from Islamabad.
Moreover, there are also several unconfirmed reports stating that Peshawar Corps Commander and ex-DG ISI Lt. Gen Faiz Hameed is leading the delegation. An Afghan journalist Bilal Sarwary revealed the news.
“Faiz Hameed, head of Peshawar army corp command along with his delegation has arrived in Serena hotel in Kabul for negotiations with TTP,” Bilal Sarwary tweeted.
Faiz Hameed head of Peshawar army corp command along with his delegation has arrived in Serena hotel in Kabul for negotiations with TTP.
— BILAL SARWARY (@bsarwary) May 16, 2022
Similarly, Al-Jazeera journalist Suddaf Chaudry also spotted Gen Faiz at the lobby of a private hotel in Kabul.
General Faiz Hameed of Pakistan army is back at the lobby of #Kabul Serena Hotel
— suddaf chaudry صدف شودري (@suddafchaudry) May 16, 2022
Journalist Iftikhar Firdous quoted a source as saying there has been no progress in the alleged peace talks.
“There is a Pakistani delegation in Kabul that is holding talks with the Afghan government, who are the mediator for peace talks with the TTP. ‘It is snail-paced progress’ sources with direct knowledge say,’neither have any prisoners on death row released,” Iftikhar Firdous tweeted.
” ‘The discussions have been exhaustive leading till Fajr prayers’ ” said another source, both sides have presented their list of demands and discussion has been underway. ‘But no tangible progress in the peace talks with the TTP in last 3 days – this will require more time,’ ” he added while quoting another source.
“The discussions have been exhaustive leading till Fajr prayers” said another source, both sides have presented their list of demands and discussion has been underway. “But no tangible progress in the peace talks with the TTP in last 3 days —this will require more time” (2/2)
— Iftikhar Firdous (@IftikharFirdous) May 17, 2022
Whether Pakistan is negotiating a deal with TTP or not, there is no denying that Pakistan is witnessing an uptick in TTP attacks against Pakistan.
On March 30, the TTP announced the launch of Operation Al-Badar against law-enforcement agencies. This resulted in a surge in its attacks in tribal districts, the southern region, and other parts of KPK.