Mr Obama's War: Pakistani Insurgents Extend Cease-Fire

Update (4 p.m. GMT): Four coalition soldiers and an Afghan civilian have been killed by a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan.

The political process in Pakistan took another step --- forward? backward? sideways? --- on Monday when insurgents in the Swat Valley extended their 10-day cease-fire in response to a Pakistani Army announcement that it was halting operations. A spokesman also announced:

We are releasing all prisoners unconditionally. Today we released four paramilitary soldiers and we will release all security personnel in our custody as a goodwill gesture.

The Pakistani Taliban in neighbouring Bajaur Province announced their own unilateral cessation of hostilities on Monday.