Pak militants extend ceasefire after talks

The militants last month announced a month-long ceasefire to allow tribal elders to try to end the conflict in the North Waziristan tribal region near the Afghan border, where hundreds of people have been killed in battles between security forces and rebels over the past year.

The truce was extended after a series of talks, under a jirga or traditional council, between elders and government officials with militants.

"The talks were successful and will continue for the period of the ceasefire to restore peace in North Waziristan," tribal elder and lawmaker, Maulana Nek Zaman, who has been mediating between the government and militants, told Reuters.

As part of the ceasefire the government released 32 tribesmen this week while militants freed four paramilitary troops kidnapped from checkpoints in April.

The tribal jirgas are seen as part of the government's latest strategy to use political means to restore peace in the semi-autonomous tribal belt where hundreds of people have been killed in battles over the past three years.