By DPA
Islamabad : Nine government officials abducted by suspected militants in Pakistan's tribal region bordering Afghanistan were freed Wednesday after five days in captivity, media reports said.
The group of development surveyors, which reportedly included six women, was taken to safety from North Waziristan to the city of Peshawar, according to the private Geo television channel.
It was not immediately clear if they were released by their kidnappers or freed by security forces that began a search operation in the tribal areas Tuesday.
Local officials had initially said masked gunmen snatched eight officials. The motive for the kidnapping was not clear.
North Waziristan has been a centre of militant activities since 2001 when hundreds of Taliban and Al Qaeda terrorists took refugee here as US-led forces toppled the Taliban from power in Afghanistan.
Pakistan's government signed a controversial peace treaty with tribesmen in the area in September 2006 under which troops were withdrawn on condition that the locals would curb insurgent activities.
But US officials say this has only led to the creation of safe havens for militants who launch attacks across the border into Afghanistan.
Pakistani security forces backed by helicopter gunships raided a training camp in North Waziristan Tuesday, killing four suspected militants.