Pakistan military and militants have agreed a 'temporary' ceasefire along the Afghan border, a tribal elder said on Tuesday. Elders have been leading talks to try to broker the truce in Miranshah in North Waziristan, after fierce fighting last week that officials say left around 250 people dead.
"A temporary ceasefire has been agreed upon, and four army check-posts in the area have been abolished," said Faizullah Khan, head of local tribal council. He added that it was reached on Monday night. The military, however, denied, saying that talks with the jirga were going on and a decision was expected later on Tuesday.
"As far as security forces are concerned, negotiations for a ceasefire are continuing and a final decision is expected today," chief military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad said on Tuesday.
"We have eased restrictions to facilitate movement of civilians in the area," he added. Fighting halted last Wednesday to allow tribesmen to bury some 50 people killed in military air strike that hit the village of Ippi. There have been almost no clashes amid ongoing talks as the country celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr.
The military says 50 foreign militants, including Arabs, were among 200 rebels killed in the fighting which erupted ten days ago, indicating involvement of Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network. Another 46 Pakistani soldiers also died, the military said. Residents say many of the dead were civilians. There has been no way to independently verify the claims.
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