MINGORA, June 7: Six suspected pro-Taliban militants were released here on Saturday as part of a peace deal between the NWFP government and the Tehrik-i-Taliban of the Swat chapter.

However, the slow pace of releasing the militants has annoyed the Taliban, according to a close associate of Maulana Fazlullah.

Five suspected militants were released from Timergara district jail and one from Mingora district jail. They were identified as Rahim Akbar, Jan Mohammad, Ayub Khan, Fida Hussain, Mohammad Hayat and Dost Mohammad.

Haji Muslim Khan, the spokesman for Maulana Fazlullah, confirmed the release of six of their men on Saturday instead of 15 as promised by the government in the accord.

The release of two more Taliban later in the day was under consideration, he said.