Bajaur: Pak troops suspend operations

Pakistani security forces today announced a four-day ceasefire in the restive Bajaur tribal region in response to a truce called by the Taliban after signing a secret peace accord with the government.

The Political Agent of the semi-autonomous Bajaur Agency, Shafirullah Khan, said the security forces were requested by
elders of the Mahmond tribe to reciprocate the unilateral ceasefire announced by the militants yesterday.

Khan told reporters that the military operation in Bajaur Agency had not been ended and the ceasefire will be observed by the security forces for four days.

During this period starting tomorrow, the security forces will not initiate any operation undertake any activity, he said.

 Any attack on the security forces during the ceasefire will be retaliated with "full might," Khan said.  The announcement of the ceasefire was made as a goodwill gesture and similar initiatives could be taken in future to restore peace and normalcy in the area, he said.

Taliban militants today indefinitely extended a ceasefire in Pakistan's northwestern Swat Valley, a day after militants
in Bajaur announced a similar truce.