TALIBAN FACTION IN NORTH WAZIRISTAN ABANDONS PEACE AGREEMENT

A Taliban faction led by Hafiz Gul Bahadur in North Waziristan scrapped a peace deal with the Pakistani government on 30 June 2009. The militants cited the Pakistan army's ongoing military offensive against the Taliban and U.S. airstrikes as the primary reasons for its decision. The Pakistani government signed the agreement in February 2007, but has disclosed few details about the accord. The Pakistan army is preparing to launch an offensive in South Waziristan. The latest development has raised concerns that the conflict between the Pakistan army and Taliban militants will expand