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Analysts say militants in Bajur have been losing ground in recent months

A crowd of supporters gather around pro-Taliban cleric Sufi Muhammad as he arrives in Mingora to negotiate with the Taliban in the battle-scarred Swat Valley , Pakistan on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009. Sufi Muhammad arrived in a caravan of some 300 vehicles in Swat's main city of Mingora Tuesday a day after he struck the truce, which a U.S. defense official called "negative."

KHAR, Pakistan – A Taliban commander announced a unilateral cease-fire Monday in a northwestern Pakistan region where the military says it has killed around 1,500 militants in an ongoing offensive.

The military was not available for comment on the Taliban’s move in Bajur region, which lies next to Afghanistan.

The announcement follows the introduction of an already week-old cease-fire between the government and militants in the Swat Valley, another northwestern region, in support of a peace process there.

The United States and other Western governments have criticized the Swat truce and negotiations, saying they could create a safe haven for al-Qaida and Taliban in the region.

Unlike in Swat, the Taliban in Bajur had been losing ground in recent months, most analysts say.

Their commander, Maulvi Faqir Mohammad, announced the cease-fire, in an FM radio broadcast.

“We have decided to observe a cease-fire,” he said. “I direct all of my fighters to stop armed actions against the government,” he said. “We will take strict action against anyone who violates the order.”

A government administrator in tribally ruled Bajur said authorities were aware of the announcement.

“We do welcome it. If they will not fire bullets, we will also consider taking a lenient view toward them,” Faramosh Khan said.

Village militias
The military began its offensive against militants in Bajur in September last year and claims to have killed around 1,500 Taliban fighters. The United States has praised the offensive.

Pakistan is under intense international pressure to crack down on al-Qaida and Taliban militants in the northwest blamed for increasing attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan. U.S. officials also fear the region is being used to plan terrorist attacks on the West.

On Sunday, regional authorities said they planned to arm villagers with 30,000 rifles to help fight militants, but it was unclear if the announcement had the backing of national leaders or the country’s powerful army.

Village militias backed by the United States have been credited with reducing violence in Iraq. Washington is paying for a similar initiative in Afghanistan.