TANK, Sept 23: Militant commander Baitullah Mehsud has agreed to provide safe passage to security forces moving between Jandola and Wana, a tribal negotiator said on Sunday.

Maulana Asamuddin, a member of peace jirga, told Dawn by phone that both sides had agreed to take confidence-building measures before the release of soldiers held hostage in the Mehsud-dominated area on Aug 30.

The jirga met militants leaders after a meeting with Political Agent Hussainzada Khan in Wana on Saturday.

Maulana Asamuddin said that jirga members had discussed new proposals with the militants who agreed to provide security to the troops during their movement between Jandola and Wana.

The main road to Wana, the agency headquarters, passes through areas dominated by the Mehsud tribe.

He said the militants had assured that security forces could use the road from Sunday. In return, he said, troops would completely withdraw from Sheen Sar and Ghat Sar hilltops where the main switchroom of the telecommunication system was located. The military authorities have, however, told the militants that the shifting of the system from the two strategic outposts would take time.