Pak Taliban claims responsibility for Mardan attack

The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan has claimed responsibility for the suicide attack at Mardan military training centre in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Tuesday.

While Pakistan government sources say five suicide bombers were killed in the attack, the militant outfit claims it has killed at least 28 security personnel. 

"Taliban men tried entering the military centre, but security forces retaliated in time killing all attackers. Four security men sustained injuries," an army officer told rediff.com. 

Calling this correspondent from an undisclosed location, TTP spokesperson Ihsanullah Ihsan said, "We accept responsibility for Tuesday's Mardan attack. At least 28 army men were killed initially, while the number could go up. The government may have claimed the attack is foiled, but for us it is a success."

Ihsan also differed with the government over the number of attackers and says, "Eight fidayeen (suicide bombers) took part in the battle, three of them have sacrificed their lives, while the remaining five escaped after the attack."

He added that those who escaped are safe and made contacts with the outfit's top leaders.

"After escaping, they have informed over phone about their safety. We did not go into the details due to security reasons," Ihsan added.

"The Taliban will continue its struggle till Pakistan stops military operations in tribal areas and changes its pro-American policies," he said.