Swat deal "dissolved" as Pak Army steps up pressure on Taliban

Islamabad, May 4: As the Pakistan military stepped up its offensive, the Taliban today said the peace deal it struck with the government "stands dissolved", even as 10 extremists were killed in fresh clashes in the restive NWFP where militants are holding 2,000 civilians "human shields".

As troops under the cover of tanks and artilleries continued to blast Taliban hideouts in Buner and Dir districts, the controversial peace deal signed in February in adjoining Swat came under cloud with a Taliban spokesman declaring it "practically dissolved".

The death of the deal reached between Taliban and the provincial NWFP government could signal Pakistan Army extending its operations to Swat also. Taliban also threatened a fierce retaliation for attacks being carried out against it.

Taliban and the Army had skirmishes in Bari Kot today with an officer killed in a rocket attack by the militant.The Army also confirmed that the militants had beheaded two soldiers whom they were holding at Khawaza Khela in Swat.

The attacks went against the peace deal, the Army said. Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan also said the pact signed with the NWFP government was "practically dissolved".

The militants are "using 2,000 people as human shields in view of impending clearance of Pir Baba" town by the security forces, the Army said. PTI