Pakistan peace process under cloud after killing of 23 troops

The Pakistan government today cancelled a meeting with Taliban negotiators over the "heinous and brutal" execution of 23 troops by the banned militant group, raising doubts about a fledgling peace process aimed at ending a decade-old insurgency.
Stunned by a Taliban faction's statement that it killed 23 Frontier Corps personnel held hostage since June 2010, state negotiators called off a scheduled meeting with the committee nominated by the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the "heinous and brutal" killings by the Taliban faction in Mohmand Agency and said the peace process had been "sabotaged" whenever it reached an "encouraging point".

Such incidents have a "negative impact" on the peace process, Sharif said in a statement issued by his office. "Pakistan cannot afford this bloodshed," he said.
Sharif said his government opted for talks with the Taliban with "honesty and seriousness" on the basis of a decision made by an All-Parties Conference.
The powerful security establishment seethed with anger and security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the recent killing of 13 policemen in Karachi and the 23 paramilitary personnel were "blatant acts of terror".

"These are high condemnable and provocative acts," a senior official said.
Though the Taliban claimed the 23 personnel were executed as revenge for army operations in the tribal belt and the killing of militants, the officials said no terrorists had died in the custody of security forces.

"It is a baseless allegation and mere propaganda to justify their dastardly acts," an official said.
Irfan Siddiqui, the head of the committee formed by the government for peace talks, said there was "no use" holding a planned meeting with Taliban negotiators. "It is sad that we are not moving in the right direction," he said in a statement.