Taliban claim Mardan blast

PESHAWAR - Claiming responsibility of Mardan suicide attack, Taliban spokesman Maulvi Omar has termed it as a reaction of US airstrikes against Dama Dola Bajaur and military operation in Dara Adam Khel.

Taliban spokesman Maulvi told the media on Monday that suicide attack was engineered by their supporters from Dara Adam Khel. He, however, termed it "an individual act on the part of Taliban from Dara Adam Khel who," according to him, "were unhappy with the ongoing military action against them." Similarly, he also termed this suicide attack, "reaction over US missile strikes against Dama Dola village of Bajaur Agency," especially, "reaction over government's silence over missile strikes."

However, Maulvi Omar said that they would continue negotiations with the government for resolving the crises. He recalled that in response to government's flexibility during the negotiation process, they set free Pakistan's ambassador to Afghanistan two days back.

On the other hand, the victims of Mardan suicide attack have been laid to rest. Namaz-i-Janaza of six persons was arranged at Mardan whereas the dead bodies of remaining victims were shifted to other cities and towns. Thousands of people from different walks of life attended the funerals of the victims.

AFP adds: the spokesman for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan told AFP negotiations between the government and the militants were in their "final stage and we hope for a positive outcome" - but warned against following US policies.

Our Monitoring Desk adds: Parleys between government officials and extremists have commenced for seeking a peace deal in South Waziristan tribal region in Wana on Monday, reports a private TV channel.

According to sources, the meeting would iron out the differences between the sides over some sections of the peace plan and it is hoped that the peace deal would be signed after consensus between the two sides.

Authorities have released over 40 extremists while 20 security officers have been set free by the militants since the commencement of the peace process in the tribal region.