Pakistan exchanges TTP prisoners for two kidnapped soldiers
DERA ISMAIL KHAN: As a confidence building measure ahead of possible peace talks, the Pakistani military has exchanged six militants for two paramilitary soldiers captured by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), intelligence officials said Wednesday.
Two intelligence officials and a Pakistani Taliban commander told news agency the Associated Press that the exchange involved six militants and two paramilitary Frontier Corps soldiers.
They say the exchange occurred in the Shawal area of the South Waziristan tribal region. The militants were subsequently taken to neighbouring North Waziristan agency.
However, the identities of the prisoners could not be ascertained.
A Pakistani Taliban commander said the exchange was aimed at building confidence ahead of formal peace talks.
The intelligence officials and the commander spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk to the media.
There was no official statement yet from the Army or the federal government regarding the exchange.
Pakistan's major political parties endorsed peace talks on Monday, allowing the federal government to initiate the process of dialogue with “all stakeholders” involved.
http://dawn.com/news/1042153/pakistan-exchanges-ttp-prisoners-for-two-kidnapped-soldiers
DERA ISMAIL KHAN: As a confidence building measure ahead of possible peace talks, the Pakistani military has exchanged six militants for two paramilitary soldiers captured by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), intelligence officials said Wednesday.
Two intelligence officials and a Pakistani Taliban commander told news agency the Associated Press that the exchange involved six militants and two paramilitary Frontier Corps soldiers.
They say the exchange occurred in the Shawal area of the South Waziristan tribal region. The militants were subsequently taken to neighbouring North Waziristan agency.
However, the identities of the prisoners could not be ascertained.
A Pakistani Taliban commander said the exchange was aimed at building confidence ahead of formal peace talks.
The intelligence officials and the commander spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk to the media.
There was no official statement yet from the Army or the federal government regarding the exchange.
Pakistan's major political parties endorsed peace talks on Monday, allowing the federal government to initiate the process of dialogue with “all stakeholders” involved.
http://dawn.com/news/1042153/pakistan-exchanges-ttp-prisoners-for-two-kidnapped-soldiers