The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has declared a ceasefire during Eid-ul-Fitr, pausing all activities during the festive period. The announcement follows a major “intelligence-based operation” in Pakistan’s Mardan district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), where the banned group suffered major casualties.
TTP has previously declared similar ceasefires during religious occasions. The group’s spokesperson, Muhammad Khorasani, issued a brief statement confirming the decision.
The ceasefire was announced just hours after the “Pakistani military targeted TTP hideouts” in the Katlang mountain range of KP’s Babuzai, Mardan district. According to various reports, at least 25 militants were killed in the operation.
However, local residents claimed that some of those killed were Swat shepherds, leading to a temporary closure of the Swat-Mardan motorway in protest. Following negotiations, the bodies—including two women and seven men—were handed over to Rescue Services 1122 for DNA testing. The protests eventually ended, and the roads were reopened.
Counter-terrorism officials in Mardan Katlang told reporters that the operation specifically targeted militant hideouts, but also resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children who were caught in the crossfire.
“This operation eliminated wanted terrorists involved in local attacks,” said Barrister Saif, spokesperson for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.
