Haqqanis pushing TTP for peace deal with Islamabad to protect its safe havens in Pak

Islamabad, Oct 5(ANI): The Haqqani network has started its efforts to push the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to negotiate a peace deal with the Pakistan Government, according to a news report.

A delegation of Pakistani tribal elders recently met Khalil Haqqani, brother of the Haqqani Network's leader, Sirajuddin Haqqani, in the Paktia province of eastern Afghanistan, The News reports.

The Pakistani tribal elders, who were worried over mounting US pressure on Pakistan to start another operation in North Waziristan, requested Sirajuddin to use his influence to make peace between anti-Pakistan and pro-Pakistan militants in North Waziristan, the report said.

Khalil Haqqani first consulted Sirajuddin, and then sent messages to some TTP leaders not to fight against Pakistani forces, it added.

It has also been learnt that the TTP leadership has yet not reached any decision in this regard, said the report.

According to it, TTP head Hakimullah Mehsud, who is reportedly hiding somewhere in the Orakzai area, is reluctant to trust the Pakistani security establishment, but has recently sent a message to Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman that "we can think of making peace with the Pakistan Army but without surrendering."

Rehman shared this offer with government officials, but the government wanted some mandate from opposition parties to restart peace efforts with the TTP, the report said.

Some elements in the TTP do not trust the Pakistani security establishment, especially the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), it said, adding that these disgruntled TTP commanders are hiding in Afghanistan's Kunar province.

According to some credible sources in the Afghan media, these TTP commanders have established contacts with Afghan Intelligence officials, the report said.

TTP leader Hakimullah Mehsud's deputy, Maulvi Faqir Muhammad, is living in an area close to Asadabad, the headquarters of Kunar province, and he recently travelled from Kabul to Delhi, the report added, attributing to sources in Kabul. (ANI)