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Troops withdraw from N Waziristan

MIRANSHAH: Hundreds of army troops withdrew from posts on Sunday in North Waziristan, as an intelligence official said militants and the government were close to unveiling a peace deal.

About 250 troops have pulled back from 11 roadblocks in Miranshah, the intelligence official said on condition of anonymity. An unspecified number of troops have also left posts guarding two key government buildings, he said. Military spokesmen did not immediately confirm the withdrawal.

Under an agreement widely expected to be unveiled by the government this week, no militant will attack government officials or security forces in the region. In return, troops there “will not carry out operations against them,” a separate intelligence official had said on Saturday, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Sunday’s troop withdrawal came a day after two other intelligence agents in Miranshah said that militants had signed an agreement to ensure “permanent peace” in the region. ap

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