MIRANSHAH, Nov 28: Tribal clerics handed over 35 suspected militants to the political authorities in North Waziristan after signing a peace agreement here on Monday. The agreement was signed by a group of tribal ulema, including Maulana Abdur Rehman, former MNA Maulana Deendar and Senator Mateen Shah.

The suspects are wanted in connection with militant activities in and around the area.

Under the pact, the tribal group has vowed not to harbour foreign militants and promised to take action against those involved in anti-state activities. The government has signed similar peace deals with militants in the neighbouring S. Waziristan.

It is not immediately clear whether the government would set the surrendered militants free in the wake of the agreement. An official said that those who had been handed over would be questioned and their roles determined before any decision was taken on releasing them.

Militants appear to have regrouped in North Waziristan over the last few weeks after remaining inactive for some time. Attacks were recently carried out on military convoys in the tribal region following a string of military operations against militants.