Pakistan Taliban head Hakimullah Mehsud 'open to talks'

October 10, 2013 00:18

Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud has told the BBC he is open to "serious talks" with the government but says he has not yet been approached. In a rare interview, he denied carrying out recent deadly attacks in public places but said he would continue to target "America and its friends".

The chief loosely controls more than 30 militant groups in the tribal areas. After being elected PM in May, Nawaz Sharif announced he would open unconditional talks with the Taliban. The group has killed thousands of people in its war against the Pakistani state in recent years.

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