Zulfiqar Mehsud, a spokesman for Baitullah Mehsud, told this correspondent on Wednesday that three soldiers would be killed each day if security forces continued their operations in certain parts of Tank district, and added that attacks against security personnel in South Waziristan would be intensified.

Over 200 army and paramilitary soldiers, including eight officers, had apparently surrendered to the supporters of Baitullah on Aug 30 when a military convoy was proceeding from Wana to Laddah sub-division.

So far, militants have released 31 kidnapped soldiers after holding negotiations with tribal elders.

The spokesman accused the government of sabotaging efforts of the tribal jirga by launching the operation against innocent people in Tank district.