DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Pakistan on Wednesday released six militants of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an important step toward confidence building between the government and the militants ahead of possible peace talks.
According to intelligence officials and a militant commander, two paramilitary Frontier Corps soldiers were also released by the militants in exchange for their people in captivity.
The prisoner exchange took place in the Shawal area of the South Waziristan tribal region, they said, adding that the militants were subsequently taken to neighboring North Waziristan Agency.
On Monday, Pakistan army and intelligence chiefs as well as leaders of all major political parties adopted a consensus resolution to overcome the national security crisis besetting the country, stating that negotiation with the militants should be pursued as their first option to counter terrorism.
