KHAR, Feb 23: After talks with a tribal jirga, militants in Bajaur agreed on Monday to announce a ceasefire in the region.

According to sources, members of the jirga persuaded Taliban leader Maulana Faqir Mohammad to announce an unconditional ceasefire and to end resistance to security forces in Inayat Kallay.

Saida Khan, another militant leader, told journalists that Faqir Mohammad had ordered Taliban activists to stop attacking security personnel.

The announcement about the ceasefire was made on the illegal radio station run by the militants. A formal announcement would be made on Tuesday.

On Sunday night, the jirga had held talks with local authorities.

Meanwhile, four militants were killed and three others injured when troops hit back after attacks on their checkpoints in Inayat Kallay, Sheenkot, Miangano Koroona, Baicheena, Tund Gat and Badisamor on Sunday night. Clashes continued for several hours and a security man was also injured.

The sources said that troops had encircled suspected militant hideouts in Inayat Kallay, Badisamor and Baicheena. They dislodged militants from an important hill and cut the supply line to Baicheena and adjoining areas. The Baicheena-Kausar road was also secured.

Militants in Mamond tehsil blew up two primary schools, one in Lar Khalozo and the other in Tanni.

At least 34 schools have been destroyed in the Bajaur Agency since the military operation was launched in August last year.

Militants also attacked a petrol pump owned by MNA Shaukatullah Khan and injured two employees.

Agencies add: Faqir Mohammad, deputy chief of the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), said in a 30-minute speech on his radio channel: “We made this announcement of a unilateral ceasefire in the interest of Pakistan and our region.

“We advise our people not to take action against security forces.”

The Taliban rescinded threats against government property and schools, which soldiers have requisitioned as bases for their campaign.

“We withdraw our earlier threats to attack government installations and schools.

“Government forces can go anywhere in Bajaur. Our mujahideen will no longer be attacking schools and other government installations,” the militant leader said.

This is the second ceasefire offer by Taliban in Bajaur since the operation was launched. The government had rejected the last ceasefire offer on Aug 24 last year.