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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Pakistan in Taleban prisoner swap | Pakistan in Taleban prisoner swap |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Pakistan's army has swapped prisoners with the Taleban and cut troop numbers in a tribal area near Afghanistan, stirring growing alarm in the West. | |
| An army spokesman said more than 30 people detained by the military had been freed. Twelve security personnel were released by militants in return. | An army spokesman said more than 30 people detained by the military had been freed. Twelve security personnel were released by militants in return. |
| The moves in South Waziristan are part of efforts to end violence in the area. | The moves in South Waziristan are part of efforts to end violence in the area. |
| Nato criticised the deals by Pakistan's new government, saying cross-border attacks in Afghanistan are on the rise. | |
| Pakistani army officials say troops have been shifted from at least two parts of South Waziristan, as officials try to reach agreement with leading pro-Taleban commander Baitullah Mehsud. | |
| Nato and the US say such deals have led to "safe havens" for the Taleban and al-Qaeda along the border. | Nato and the US say such deals have led to "safe havens" for the Taleban and al-Qaeda along the border. |
| Nato spokesman James Appathurai said such agreements could let militants "rest, reconstitute and then move across the border". | |
| He said the alliance did not want to interfere in Pakistan's internal affairs , but wanted to "convey our concerns about what is happening inside Afghanistan". | |
| Hostages | Hostages |
| Wednesday's prisoner handover took place after negotiations by tribal elders. | Wednesday's prisoner handover took place after negotiations by tribal elders. |
| Correspondents say it is not thought any high-profile suspects were among detainees released by the military. | Correspondents say it is not thought any high-profile suspects were among detainees released by the military. |
| Army spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas said two officers were among the soldiers and paramilitary Frontier Corps constabulary freed by the militants. | Army spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas said two officers were among the soldiers and paramilitary Frontier Corps constabulary freed by the militants. |
| It is thought some had been held for months. | It is thought some had been held for months. |
| Scores of soldiers were taken hostage by the militants last year as they stepped up a campaign of attacks and suicide bombings that killed hundreds across Pakistan. | Scores of soldiers were taken hostage by the militants last year as they stepped up a campaign of attacks and suicide bombings that killed hundreds across Pakistan. |
| Tens of thousands of Pakistani security personnel have been stationed in areas near the Afghan border as part of efforts to curb militant activity. | Tens of thousands of Pakistani security personnel have been stationed in areas near the Afghan border as part of efforts to curb militant activity. |
| But more than 700 Pakistani soldiers have been killed and the militants are in de facto control of large areas. | But more than 700 Pakistani soldiers have been killed and the militants are in de facto control of large areas. |
| The opposition won February elections in Pakistan and the new government wants to negotiate "peace deals" to end the violence. | The opposition won February elections in Pakistan and the new government wants to negotiate "peace deals" to end the violence. |
| It is thought the government wants guarantees from militants that shelter will no longer be given to foreign fighters. |