UPPER DIR, June 30: Authorities have turned down a demand made by militants for the release of 20 of their jailed associates and Rs10 million ransom in return for handing over the bodies of 17 soldiers they killed in an attack near the Afghan border in Upper Dir on June 24.

According to sources, tribal elders from Afghanistan’s Kunar province have joined the negotiations being held between notables from Barawal area of Upper Dir and the militants for return of the bodies.

A member of the jirga from Upper Dir said on Saturday that elders from Kunar had joined the effort after two rounds of talks between the two sides remained inconclusive.

The sources said the jirga in response to a demand for release of the jailed suspects had asked the militants to hand over the bodies of soldiers while talks for the release of their men continued.

The elders from Barawal were sent to Kunar on June 27 for negotiations.

Meanwhile, security forces are taking measures to prevent cross-border attacks as the situations remains volatile.