Elders try to end Pakistan battle
Pakistani tribal elders have been continuing to try to secure the release of 14 officials and soldiers captured during a nine-day army offensive. The officials were taken at the start of the operation in South Waziristan in which about 30 soldiers have died. The army operation is aimed against al-Qaeda and Taleban suspects and tribesmen sheltering them. On Wednesday, four rockets hit the north-western town of Peshawar in what appeared to be a retaliatory attack. Tribal elders have been trying for three days to secure the release of the officials and soldiers. One of the elders involved in the attempt, Malik Bakhan, told Reuters: “We’re forming a team to try to identify areas where the missing people can be found. We’ll also hold a jirga [tribal council] at which we will take some important decisions.” Full Story