Curfew Lifted in Northwestern Pakistan

The Pakistani army has lifted a curfew imposed in North Waziristan, one week after 250 people were reported killed in fighting with militant tribesmen.

The army also said Tuesday it is still negotiating a formal cease-fire, but tribal leaders say a truce has already been agreed upon.

Tribal leader Faizullah Khan says the deal was brokered Monday night. He adds that security forces are withdrawing from army checkpoints along the border with Afghanistan.

But chief military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad says a final decision on a secession of hostilities could be decided Tuesday.

He says authorities have reopened roads in the area to allow residents to move around.

Last week, Pakistani authorities said 250 people had been killed in the border area during several days of the fiercest fighting in years between government forces and pro-Taleban militants.

Attacks on Pakistani security forces have surged since the collapse in July of a peace deal between the government and pro-Taleban militants. The deal was designed to drive foreign fighters out of the tribal region.

Taleban and al-Qaida militants have taken refuge in Pakistan's tribal regions since U.S.- led forces ended Taleban rule in neighboring Afghanistan in 2001.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.