KOHAT, Jan 23: Militants released two of the seven army personnel kidnapped in Darra Adamkhel two weeks ago, after a peace agreement between the Taliban and tribal elders was formally announced on Wednesday.

Official sources told Dawn that negotiations were going on at different levels and at various places for the release of other hostages who had been picked up by 20 armed Taliban from a hotel near the Abbas Interchange in Darra Adamkhel.

However, the fate of two army captains and two havaldars, who had been captured along with their vehicle between Darra Adamkhel and Mattani, was still unknown and there has been no breakthrough in the case although more than a month has passed.

Meanwhile, the deputy administrator of the Frontier Region of Kohat, Capt (retd) Tariq, told Dawn that the Taliban had vacated roadside posts and a checkpoint near the Friendship Tunnel.