President Musharraf said all Taliban are not “militants” and said the military can withdraw from the tribal agencies if violence reduces. The government continues to negotiate with the Taliban to secure the release of its kidnapped soldiers in South Waziristan. Six “miscreants” and civilians were killed in a helicopter strike in North Waziristan. Two bombings destroyed 40 shops in a video market in Swat; a tailor shop was bombed in Bajaur.
