The banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has said the recent attack at a Church in Peshawar that killed over 80 people was in "accordance with the Shariah", but claimed that neither it nor any of its sub-groups were involved in the bombing.
"We didn't carry out the Church attack. However, we believe it's according to the Sharia," TTP spokesperson Shahidullah Shahid told the BBC Urdu in a telephone interview from an undisclosed location.
Explaining their organisational structure, Shahid said the outfit have scores of sub-groups operating countrywide akin to various departments of the government.
According to the media the outfit comprises 35 sub-groups.
"Our objective is clear to all (sub-groups). We have given them a blank cheque to take action against our enemy and they can never attack anyone or anything that is not our target. If we find their action beyond the set mandate, we try them in our court and punish them," the spokesperson said.
Over 80 people were killed when twin suicide bombers struck at the All Saints Church in Peshawar on September 22. A faction of the TTP had claimed responsibility, but the parent body said they have no relationship with it.
The attack came as the government is in the process of initiating peace dialogue with the Taliban.
