Pakistan, Oct. 4 -- A Tirah militants meeting is planned as local elders aim to persuade banned groups to leave the valley. The jirga decision followed consultations with security officials including IG Frontier Corps Maj Gen Rao Imran Sartaj. Tribal elders agreed to take the lead in negotiations instead of using force.

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The meeting at FC Headquarters in Balahisar Fort included Peshawar Commissioner Riaz Mehsud and representatives from political parties. The IGFC warned that failure to remove militants could force security forces into a military operation. The elders requested time to negotiate before any action is taken.

Delegates opposed armed confrontation and suggested...