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Pakistan in deal with militants Pakistan 'Taleban' in peace deal
(10 minutes later)
Pakistan's government and pro-Taleban militants in the tribal region of North Waziristan have signed a peace deal aimed at ending years of unrest. Pakistan has signed a deal with pro-Taleban militants on the Afghan border aimed at ending years of unrest.
The accord is the first of its kind since troops went after Taleban and al-Qaeda elements on the Afghan border. The accord in North Waziristan calls for local supporters to expel foreign militants and end cross-border attacks in return for a lower troop presence.
Under the accord, militants pledge not to harbour foreign militants, launch cross-border raids or attack Pakistani government troops or facilities. Tens of thousands of Pakistani forces are fighting foreign Islamic militants and their local supporters in the country's restive tribal belt.
The Pakistani military in turn promises to end ground and aerial operations. Hundreds of people have been killed in violence in North Waziristan this year.
'Strategy failed'
The agreement brokered by a grand council (jirga) of tribal elders is the first of its kind since Pakistani troops went after Taleban and al-Qaeda elements on the Afghan border.
Under the accord, the Pakistani military promises to end ground and aerial operations in the area.
Local militants in turn have pledged not to harbour foreign militants, launch cross-border raids or attack Pakistani government troops or facilities.
BBC correspondents say meeting these conditions could be difficult, as the Taleban has support on both sides of the Pakistan-Afghan border.
Observers say the creation of the jirga essentially recognises the power of the militants and is an implicit admission that the government's military strategy has failed.
In June, the authorities in North Waziristan freed more than 50 tribesmen as an apparent goodwill gesture to pro-Taleban militants.
They have since met two other conditions of the tribesmen, withdrawing the military from new check-posts in North Waziristan and releasing more than 140 tribesmen.