DUBAI : Yemen rebels freed 178 government soldiers and civilians on Wednesday, a day after Sanaa accused them of dragging their feet over implementation of a truce deal to end a northern war.

A top Yemeni security body had said on Tuesday that the northern rebels were not fully complying with a deal struck in February to end a conflict that has raged on and off since 2004 and drew in neighbouring oil exporter Saudi Arabia last year.

The prisoners were handed over in the northern province of Saada that was the scene of most of the fighting, and they would be transported to Sanaa on Thursday, Al Arabiya quoted officials in a mediation committee as saying.

Western governments and neighbouring Saudi Arabia fear al Qaeda is exploiting instability on many fronts in Yemen to recruit and train militants for attacks in the region and beyond.

Analysts say the truce agreement between the government and rebels, who belong to the minority Zaydi sect of Shi’ite Islam, was unlikely to last as it does not address the insurgents’ complaints of discrimination by Sanaa.

A rebel spokesman denied on Tuesday that the insurgents were using delay tactics and promised to free captive Yemeni soldiers within 48 hours, Al Arabiya television reported at the time. Al Arabiya said those freed on Wednesday included foot soldiers, officers and civilians.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan News: Supreme Court of Pakistan Wednesday ordered Director General FIA and Secretary Interior to investigate and submit their reports to the court over issuance of forged arms licences within five days.

At least six people were killed while several others injured in drone strikes in both North and South Waziristan.
The drone fired 5 missiles in Hamzoi, whereas two in Datta Khel, North Waziristan. Meanwhile, in South Waziristan the militants blew up a school.
In Khyber Agency, the miscreants assailed a checkpost at Sheen Darang.
The martyred include three security personnel and two cops.

At least 12 people were killed while 35 others were injured in three suicide attacks in Iraq.
Attacks near polling stations in Baghdad kill at least 13 people during early voting in the country’s parliamentary elections.
The blast followed an earlier attack in the Hurriya district, in which 4 people were killed and 22 wounded.

At least seven persons were killed while several others injured when a suicide bomber struck Nishat Chowk, Mingora.
Two security forces’ cars also got damaged in the blast while fire engulfed 8 shops and 10 cars parked alongside.

Rescue efforts have been kicked off and the injured are being shifted to the hospitals, while the security forces cordoned off the area. According to initial reports, the bomber targeted a security forces’ convoy. Rise in toll is also feared.
According to DIG Malakand Muhammad Awais, it was a suicide bombing. After the explosion, a curfew has been imposed.

GUWAHATI: Twin Blasts Rock Assam’s Nalbari District; 4 dead, 25 injured, Two blasts rocked Nalbari district in Lower Assam on Sunday morning, in which four persons have reportedly been killed while another 25 have been injured.

The blasts took place at around 10:15 hours (local time) outside a police station in Nalbari district, police said. The bombs were planted on a parked bicycle, a police official added.

Police suspected militants of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) to have carried out the explosions.

Nalbari district is about 70 km west of Assam’s main city of Guwahati.