Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan ties peace talks with US drone ceasefire

MIRANSHAH: The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Wednesday insisted US drone strikes in the country's northwest must stop before they will consider peace talks with the government.

The main political parties last month backed a government proposal to seek negotiations with the militants, who have been waging a bloody insurgency against the state since 2007.

The main umbrella TTP faction responded with a list of preconditions, including a government ceasefire and the withdrawal of troops from the tribal areas along the Afghan border where the militants have hideouts.

TTP spokesman Shahidullah Shahid told media any ceasefire must include an end to US drone attacks in the tribal areas, which have been targeting suspected Taliban and Al-Qaeda militants since 2004.

"A ceasefire alone is not sufficient. The stoppage of drone strikes is essential, otherwise -- if drones continue to strike -- we will not accept the ceasefire," Shahid said.