Pakistani Taliban leader suspends peace talks

Peshawar: Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud told Reuters on Saturday he was suspending peace talks with the government.

Mehsud made the statement as security forces began an operation against the Taliban in the Khyber tribal region near the main northwestern city of Peshawar.

Mehsud said he suspected operations would be ordered also against Taliban groups elsewhere in the region.

"The talks will remain suspended until the government stops talking about operations and attacks against us," he said by satellite phone from an undisclosed location.