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| Militants release 30 abducted Pakistani security personnel | | | Islamabad | Oct 13
Pro-Taliban militants today released 30 security personnel they had kidnapped nearly two months ago in Pakistan's restive tribal region bordering Afghanistan while over 180 were still in their captivity.
The militants released the 30 security personnel in South Waziristan, days after a series of violent clashes in neighbouring North Waziristan left 200 extremists and nearly 50 troops dead, Geo TV channel reported.
The militants had captured about 245 security personnel on August 30 while they were on their way from Wana to Laddah in South Waziristan. Following efforts by elders of the Mehsud tribe to secure the release of the abducted troops, 26 personnel were set free about a fortnight ago.
However, the militants killed three of the personnel earlier this month and threatened to kill more if their demands are not met.
President Prevez Musharraf, who is also the army chief, has said the unprofessional conduct of the troops had resulted in their capture by the militants. "I think they acted unprofessionally in that they were trying to clear a roadblock without taking any precautionary measures," he said in an interview with BBC.
The beleaguered military ruler has said that one of the foremost challenges facing Pakistan is the restoration of peace in the tribal regions bordering Afghanistan, described by a new White House policy document as a "safe haven" for the Al Qaeda. |
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