By Prensa Latina
Islamabad : At least eight delegates of the peace committees involved in the negotiation process of a cease of fire between religious rebels and the Pakistani army died in the tribal region of South Waziristan on Monday.
According to the Ministry of Defense in Islamabad, the incident occurred when alleged anti government groups opened fire at those tribal leaders in Wana and Shikai localities.
According to the military release, three delegates died in a market in Wana and the other five in their residences in Ahikai, mountainous regions close to the border with Afghanistan.
The negotiation committee is formed by 21 members, and is a mediator between the Army and the rebels to solve conflicts since 2005, when the two parties reached a truce.
Clashes have escalated in those tribal areas in the North-western Frontier province since July, when the army attacked the Islamabad Red Mosque, occupied by thousands of religious students. More than 100 persons lost their lives in that action.