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| India-Pakistan |
| Tribesmen released in Waziristan |
| 2006-06-29 |
| The authorities in Pakistan's North Waziristan region have freed more than 50 tribesmen as an apparent goodwill gesture to pro-Taleban militants. Officials say those freed are ordinary tribesmen, including shopkeepers and taxi drivers - not hardcore fighters. The move comes days after local militants offered a conditional ceasefire with security forces. Dozens of tribal militants and government troops have been killed in clashes in the area this year. The BBC's Haroon Rashid in Peshawar says the freeing of the detainees is expected to further reduce tension between the government and the militants. Sunday's ceasefire offer was seen as an attempt to facilitate negotiations between the two sides. One of several conditions set by the militants was the release of all detained tribesmen. They also demanded the withdrawal of army troops from the region and the removal of all new check posts. Tens of thousands of Pakistani security forces are trying to flush out foreign Islamic militants and their local supporters in the country's restive tribal belt along the border with Afghanistan. |
| Posted by:Steve |