Fighting between Pakistani troops and suspected al-Qaida militants ebbed Sunday as tribal elders said they would try to negotiate an end to the largest battle yet against suspected terrorists along the Afghan frontier. A 25-member council is to begin talks with the militants Monday morning under the protection of a white flag, said Brig. Mahmood Shah, chief of security for the tribal area in South Waziristan province. Pakistani forces took advantage of Sunday’s pause in fighting to search nearby homes. The military believes a “high-value” target is holed up in the besieged area, but it is uncertain if is al-Qaida commander Ayman al-Zawahri, Uzbek militant Tahir Yuldash, or another terrorist. Some 5,000-6,000 Pakistani forces are fighting 400-500 foreign militants and Yargul Khel tribesmen. Shah speculated the shooting had abated because the militants were conserving ammunition. Full Story
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