Peshawar (Pakistan), Oct 10: Pakistani authorities today intensified pressure on tribesmen near the Afghan border to hand over three compatriots who harboured Taliban and al-Qaeda suspects, arresting another 10 people. The number of tribesmen rounded up in a three-day sweep has now reached 52, said administrator in the south Waziristan tribal agency headquarters Wana, Anwar Ali Shah.
"We will carry on with the operation in south Waziristan area until the men we are looking for are handed over to US," Shah told news agencies.
The three men are accused of sheltering a band of al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters in their sprawling mud-walled homes near Angoor Ada in south Waziristan, five kilometers from the Afghan border.

The wanted men are hiding among fellow tribes.

Pakistan's military besieged the tribesmen's homes in a massive air and ground operation last week, killing eight Taliban and al-Qaeda suspects and arresting 18. Two Pakistani troops were killed.
Paramilitary forces have barricaded the villages of the Pashtun tribesmen of the Karikhel, Zalikhel and Yirgakhel sub-tribes, and warned that anyone seen in the market or moving around will be detained, Shah said.
Shops and petrol stations have also been shuttered, Shah said.
"Our objective is very clear. We want to put them under maximum pressure so that they handover the wanted men," Shah said.
Bureau Report