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Pakistani soldiers to be 'freed' Pakistan troops' release delayed
(about 7 hours later)
Five of the 15 Pakistani soldiers being held hostage by pro-Taleban militants in Pakistan's South Waziristan region are likely to set free on Tuesday. The release of 15 Pakistani soldiers being held hostage by pro-Taleban militants in Pakistan's South Waziristan region has been delayed.
The move is in line with an agreement reached by the militants with the local tribal council. Members of the local tribal council, who reached a deal with the militants, are on their way to the Mahsud area where the hostages are being held.
Under the deal the hostages would be freed in three phases and there would be a ceasefire with the troops. Under the agreement the hostages are to be freed in three phases and there is to be a ceasefire with troops.
Sixteen soldiers were abducted about 10 days ago near the Afghan border. One soldier was killed last week. Sixteen soldiers were abducted about 10 days ago. One was killed last week.
The tribal chief who has been negotiating with the militants to secure the planned release said the soldiers would be freed 'unconditionally'. Increased attacks
The militants had earlier demanded the release of 10 militants being held by the government. "It is already late in the day and by the time we reach there and work out the modalities of the transfer of the kidnapped personnel, it will be night time," Akhtar Gul Mahsud, one of the members of the council, told the BBC.
Despite the ceasefire, a military convoy was attacked in the area yesterday. The tribal council chief, Maulana Merajuddin, who negotiated with the militants to secure the release, had earlier said the soldiers would be freed "unconditionally".
Pakistan has recently seen increased attacks on the security services. The militants had initially demanded the release of 10 militants being held by the government.
Despite the ceasefire, a military convoy was attacked in the area, which is near the Afghan border, on Monday.
Pakistan has recently seen increased attacks against its security forces.
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.
The 16 abducted 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 abducted 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 in neighbouring 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 the town of Jandola.