| GEO Pakistan | | Tribesmen sign peace deal in Bajaur Agency | Updated at: 1918 PST, Monday, March 09, 2009
 PESHAWAR: Tribesmen signed a deal with the government Monday, promising not to shelter militants in a tribal area on the Afghan border where the military said the Taliban militants had been defeated.
The 28-point deal came as Taliban fighters released five soldiers who were kidnapped when the military launched a massive operation in Bajaur six months ago and after five rebels were killed in clashes with troops.
The blueprint was signed by tribal elders from Mamond, the most populous district in semi-autonomous tribal region of Bajaur, and government officials in Khar, the main town in the area.
"Tribal elders assured the government that militants will lay down arms and live peacefully in Mamond under the deal," local administration officials told reporters after the signing ceremony.
Mamond is home to around 300,000 out of the total 900,000 population of Bajaur, and was a storming ground for several Taliban commanders. |  |
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