Pakistani Taliban spokesman Shahidullah Shahid has announced a monthlong cease-fire in an attempt to allow the resumption of stalled peace talks with Pakistan's government.
Shahid told journalists on March 1 the cease-fire should begin immediately.
A Pakistani Taliban statement issued the same day said: "The senior leadership of the Taliban advises all subgroups to respect the Taliban's call for a ceasefire and abide by it and completely refrain from all jihadi activities in this time period."
The unilateral cease-fire call comes after attempts to hold peace talks between Pakistani militants and the government collapsed.
In recent weeks, Pakistan's air force has bombed militant targets in northwestern Pakistan.
There also is speculation that Pakistan's government is preparing to launch a major offensive against Taliban fighters in the tribal region of North Waziristan near the border with Afghanistan.
Shahid told journalists on March 1 the cease-fire should begin immediately.
A Pakistani Taliban statement issued the same day said: "The senior leadership of the Taliban advises all subgroups to respect the Taliban's call for a ceasefire and abide by it and completely refrain from all jihadi activities in this time period."
The unilateral cease-fire call comes after attempts to hold peace talks between Pakistani militants and the government collapsed.
In recent weeks, Pakistan's air force has bombed militant targets in northwestern Pakistan.
There also is speculation that Pakistan's government is preparing to launch a major offensive against Taliban fighters in the tribal region of North Waziristan near the border with Afghanistan.
