'Peshawar isn't Srinagar that we want to capture it': Baitullah Mehsud

Peshawar, June 28 (ANI): Pakistan Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud has said that his outfit cannot dream of capturing or damaging Peshawar, as has been done by militants and insurgents in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-administered Kashmir.

In a message conveyed to the media through his spokesman, Maulvi Omar, Mehsud said: "Peshawar isn't Srinagar that we want to capture it. Taliban cannot think of damaging their beloved Peshawar, which is the capital and identity of our province."

However, according to The News, Mehsud warned that the Pakistani Taliban had the capacity to capture Peshawar, and castigated Islamabad for promoting propaganda that suggested that Peshawar was about to fall into the hands of the Taliban and other militant/insurgent groups.

Known to issue statements for public consumption of and on, Mehsud had said a few weeks ago that he had doubts about the Pakistan Government's resolve to reject Washington's demand not to go ahead or conclude peace pacts with the Taliban. (ANI)