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| India-Pakistan |
| Six security men, 23 militants freed in third prisoner swap |
| 2008-05-17 |
| Security forces and local Taliban engaged in another round of prisoner exchange on Friday, as army troops continue to adjust positions in South Waziristan to ‘facilitate’ the return of the displaced Mehsud tribe families. Six security personnel and 23 militants loyal to Baitullah Mehsud were freed during the third round of prisoner exchange since the government brokered a deal on Wednesday. Security officials said that only local militants were released, as the release of foreign militants was not part of the deal. Under the deal, the army has also agreed to withdraw troops from the areas that displaced Mehsud tribes are returning to. The political authorities of the region told APP that paramilitary forces were being withdrawn from areas close to the Pak-Afghan border to help the region return to normal. Tribal elders have welcomed the departure of the troops, saying that the move would bring local tribesmen and security forces closer together. Meanwhile, Taliban spokesman Maulvi Umar told BBC Urdu that the Taliban would not give up resistance against foreign forces in Afghanistan under any possible agreement with the Pakistan government. He said it was the Taliban’s religious obligation, as Muslims, to evict occupying foreign forces from Afghanistan. |
| Posted by:Fred |