Pakistan "thins out" troops in Waziristan for pact

By Saad Khan

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistan has shifted troops in the South Waziristan region on the Afghan border and swapped prisoners with militants in an effort to make peace with an al Qaeda-linked commander, officials said on Wednesday.

The new government has been trying to make peace with Baituallah Mehsud, who leads the Taliban in Pakistan, through ethnic Pashtun tribal elders since it took power last month after the country suffered its bloodiest-ever phase of attacks.

But the peace bid has raised questions, especially among Pakistan's Western allies with troops in Afghanistan who say similar deals in the past merely gave the militants a free hand to regroup and plot violence in Afghanistan and beyond.

NATO said on Wednesday there had recently been a sharp increase in insurgent attacks in eastern Afghanistan.

The latest peace talks stalled last month after the government rejected a militant demand for troops to get out of the region which has long been an al Qaeda and Taliban haven.

But a senior government official said on Wednesday troops were being "thinned out" in at least two parts of South Waziristan to pave the way for an agreement.

"The troops have started thinning out from the Kotkay and Spinkai Raghzai areas," said the official based in the northwest who declined to be identified.

"We hope to formalise the agreement in two or three days."