TANK, Sept 5: Six of about 300 soldiers held hostage by militants in South Waziristan Agency were freed on Wednesday as a ‘gesture of respect’ for a jirga holding talks with the militants for the troops’ release.

A jirga member said talks with Baitullah Mehsud’s group were heading in the ‘right direction’. “The group has freed six paramilitary soldiers as a gesture of respect for the jirga,” said jirga member Akhtar Gul Mehsud.

The army and paramilitary troops, including nine officers, were kidnapped in Laddah subdivision’s Momi Karam area on Aug 30 when their convoy was proceeding from Wana. The Inter Services Public Relations has confirmed the kidnapping of 240 soldiers.

Mr Gul told Dawn that a select group of tribal elders led by MNA Maulvi Mirajuddin had held talks with the militants in Laddah.

He said the militants wanted implementation of the Sararogha peace agreement before releasing all soldiers. The peace deal between the government and the militants had been signed in Feb 2005.