Taliban free 8 officials in Pakistan
Pakistani Taliban militants have released eight of around two dozen government officials kidnapped more than two weeks ago in a restive northwestern region, a tribal elder said yesterday.
The officials were abducted on July 9 in retaliation for the arrest of seven militants in troubled Hangu district near the Afghan border. The army wrapped up a week-long anti-extremist operation in Hangu this week.
"Taliban have released eight government officials as a goodwill gesture after a jirga (tribal elders' delegation) held talks with them in Orakzai tribal district," Maulana Hussain Asghar told AFP.
Orakzai, one of Pakistan's semi-autonomous tribal regions bordering Afghanistan, adjoins Hangu.
Those released belong to the police, banking, telephone and electricity supply departments, Asghar said. There was no word on the reminaing hostages.
The Taliban said earlier they were holding 29 government officials including paramilitary soldiers, while the interior ministry has put the number at 19.
Comments