Pakistan province gets Taliban warning

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, July 23 (UPI) -- Baitullah Mehsud's Pakistani Taliban group has warned officials in the tribal northwest province of severe attacks if their military operations don't stop.

Maulvi Umar, a spokesman for the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, told reporters by telephone from an undisclosed location the local government must end its military campaign in Hangu, Swat and other areas in the region, the Pakistani English-language newspaper Dawn reported Wednesday.

His threat of violence came after the expiration of a five-day deadline issued by Mehsud asking the provincial government to resign, the report said. The ultimatum has been rejected by the government.

Umar was quoted as saying the government should have shown flexibility and given a positive response to the Taliban's ultimatum, the report said.

He also was quoted as saying the TTP leadership wants peace and resolution of disputes through dialogue, but ruled out talks until military actions cease.