A jirga or council of tribal elders Sunday failed to secure the release of the over 100 soldiers, who were kidnapped three days ago in northwestern Pakistan's tribal region, the private News Network International news agency reported.
The soldiers were held hostage by the local pro-Taliban militants when they were traveling in a convoy of 16 vehicles on Aug. 30.
Militants told the jirga members that Pakistani army is violating peace deal reached with them in 2005, under which local tribals are asked to help stop cross-border fighting and drop support for foreign militants while the army pull out of the checkposts in the region.
The army spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad earlier had stated that the soldiers were trapped in the region due to bad weather and firing between two tribes.
Pakistan's northwest tribal region has witnessed worsening law and order situation since July and attacks and bombings are on the rise. Meanwhile, the military stepped up efforts in targeting suspected militants points in Waziristan, known for active militancy.
According to NNI, Ahmadullah Ahmadi, a spokesman for pro- Taliban militants in neighboring North Waziristan, where a similar peace agreement was scrapped by militants in July, has said all security men would be pardoned if they are not taking part in operations against them.
The spokesman said the government has started contacts with them for negotiations but they would not talk to the government unless the army removes all check posts.
Source: Xinhua
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