Pakistan Army spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas denied knowledge of any talks but said militants in South Waziristan had stopped firing on security forces for two days and had retreated a little after recent intense clashes. He said the military operation against the militants was continuing for now.

Interior Minister Hamid Nawaz, who claimed security forces had “broken the back” of Mehsud’s fighters, said the Government would form a jirga, or tribal council, very soon “for dialogue with the militants”. He said the jirga would comprise “influential people and peaceful citizens”.

The recent wave of violence has pitched Pakistan deeper into turmoil as it heads toward February 18 elections meant to usher back democracy after eight years of military rule under President Pervez Musharraf.

In January, Mehsud fighters launched a series of assaults on military bases in South Waziristan, underscoring the Government’s weak grip on the region that US officials say is a safe haven for al-Qaeda.

Last week, a US missile strike killed Abu Laith al-Libi, a top al-Qaeda commander, in North Waziristan.

Washington considers Pakistan a key ally in the war on terrorism, and Musharraf’s Government said on Wednesday it remained committed to that fight.

Pakistan already has made “more sacrifices than any other country” in the struggle against Islamic terrorism, Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammed Sadiq told reporters.

The Army said the military helicopter went down near the scene of intense recent fighting.

The pilot had reported an unspecified technical problem before the crash, which occurred near the road that links Wana, South Waziristan’s main town, with Jandola, another town in the area. Weather in the area was not bad at the time, Abbas said.

... contd.