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Deal to release Pakistani troops Deal to release Pakistani troops
(about 6 hours later)
Tribal elders in Pakistan's South Waziristan district have successfully negotiated the release of 15 soldiers being held by pro-Taleban militants. Tribal elders in Pakistan's South Waziristan say they have successfully negotiated the release of 15 soldiers being held by pro-Taleban militants.
Local officials said the troops would be released unconditionally in three phases, beginning Tuesday.Local officials said the troops would be released unconditionally in three phases, beginning Tuesday.
Sixteen soldiers were abducted about 10 days ago near the Afghan border and one soldier was killed last week.Sixteen soldiers were abducted about 10 days ago near the Afghan border and one soldier was killed last week.
The militants threatened to kill the other hostages too unless their demand for a prisoner swap was met.The militants threatened to kill the other hostages too unless their demand for a prisoner swap was met.
Pakistan has recently seen increased attacks on the security services.Pakistan has recently seen increased attacks on the security services.
The attacks followed a bloody battle with radical Islamists last month at the Red Mosque in Islamabad in which more than 100 people died.The attacks followed a bloody battle with radical Islamists last month at the Red Mosque in Islamabad in which more than 100 people died.
SolidaritySolidarity
The negotiators, headed by Maulana Merajuddin, a member of parliament, said the hostages were in good health.The negotiators, headed by Maulana Merajuddin, a member of parliament, said the hostages were in good health.
He said local militants have expressed their willingness to release the abducted troops as a gesture of solidarity with Pakistan army.He said local militants have expressed their willingness to release the abducted troops as a gesture of solidarity with Pakistan army.
The kidnapping was followed by increased troops movement in the region amid rumours of a military operation to release the hostages.The kidnapping was followed by increased troops movement in the region amid rumours of a military operation to release the hostages.
The troops also blocked the road connecting the Wazir and Mahsud areas with the districts of Tank and Dera Ismail Khan.The troops also blocked the road connecting the Wazir and Mahsud areas with the districts of Tank and Dera Ismail Khan.
This prompted a top militant commander, Baitullah Mahsud, to announce the scrapping of a peace deal he had signed with the government in February 2005.This prompted a top militant commander, Baitullah Mahsud, to announce the scrapping of a peace deal he had signed with the government in February 2005.
The announcement was made by Mahsud's spokesman, Zulfiqar Mahsud, on Saturday.The announcement was made by Mahsud's spokesman, Zulfiqar Mahsud, on Saturday.
An army spokesman said he was not aware of a unilateral scrapping of the deal.An army spokesman said he was not aware of a unilateral scrapping of the deal.
But following the announcement that the troops would be released soon, the road blockade was also lifted.But following the announcement that the troops would be released soon, the road blockade was also lifted.
The 16 soldiers went missing after leaving in a convoy for the Sararogha area of South Waziristan, a stronghold of the recently killed militant leader Abdullah Mahsud.The 16 soldiers went missing after leaving in a convoy for the Sararogha area of South Waziristan, a stronghold of the recently killed militant leader Abdullah Mahsud.
Mahsud died last month in a raid near the city of Zhob, Balochistan province.Mahsud died last month in a raid near the city of Zhob, Balochistan province.
Last week, the beheaded body of one of the hostages - Laiq Hussain - was found in a field near a military base in Jandola town.Last week, the beheaded body of one of the hostages - Laiq Hussain - was found in a field near a military base in Jandola town.
A note in Urdu, Pakistan's main language, was found near his body warning that the other hostages would be killed if authorities failed to meet their demand.A note in Urdu, Pakistan's main language, was found near his body warning that the other hostages would be killed if authorities failed to meet their demand.
Intelligence officials said the militants were demanding the release of 10 militants who are in government custody.Intelligence officials said the militants were demanding the release of 10 militants who are in government custody.