Pakistani Taliban Declares Unilateral Bajaur Ceasefire

General Again Claims Victory Imminent

by Jason Ditz, February 23, 2009

The Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has once again declared a unilateral ceasefire in the Bajaur Agency, with deputy chief Maulvi Faqir Mohammad saying it was “in the interest of Pakistan and our region.”

The TTP declared a unilateral ceasefire on August 24, and the Pakistani government declared their own a week later. In spite of this, the military never really stopped its attacks, and the ceasefire eventually fell apart. They also offered several times to declare a ceasefire in return for an end to military operations, but have always been rebuffed.

It appears that this time will be no different. Major General Tariq Khan once again declared today that victory in Bajaur was imminent, and he believes he will have control by “mid-March.” Maj. Gen. Khan made a similar prediction in September, saying he expected victory in “between one-and-a-half to two months.” Khan is also pressuring NATO to seal off the border between Bajaur and Afghanistan, claiming that very few of the TTP are locals.

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