Peshawar, Nov 5 : The Pakistan Government has set free 25 militants in exchange for the release of 213 army personnel who were held hostage in South Waziristan for over two months.

Confirming the release of 213 army personnel, army spokesperson Major General Waheed Arshad soldiers said that 25 militants who had been arrested under the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) were also freed.

However, Major General Arshad refused to comment on the physical condition of the released soldiers.

“I can’t say anything about the physical condition of soldiers at this moment, but there will be a debriefing session and medical check-up of all the released soldiers,” the Dawn quoted him, as saying.

According to sources, the militants brought the 213 soldiers to Tiarza Khula, a remote area in South Waziristan, and handed them over to tribal elders. The military authorities brought the 25 militants in two helicopters to the brigade headquarters in Zari Noor colony near Wana

Zulfiqar Mehsud, spokesman for Baitullah Mehsud, and his deputy Fakher Alam Mehsud handed over the soldiers to a jirga headed by the former Member of National Assembly, Maulvi Mirajuddin.

Mirajuddin, who brokered the deal, said that issue had been resolved amicably and that the two sides have agreed to implement the Sararogha peace accord in letter and spirit.

On August 30, 247 army personnel, including eight officers, were kidnapped in the Momi Karam area of South Waziristan.

Later, 31 soldiers were released and three were shot dead. (ANI)