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Pakistan soldiers still in captivity

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan government has still not been able to secure the release of over 150 soldiers kidnapped by pro-Taliban tribal militants in south Waziristan last week.

A team of religious leaders and tribal elders met the militants in a jirga on Firday and returned the next day to Wana, headquarters of the tribal agency, reportedly with a set of demands from the militants.

Military spokesman Major-General Wahid Arshad said the team, which is negotiating with the militants on behalf of the government, would return for talks with the militants on Sunday.

The talks are being held at Laddah, 40 km from Wana. Maj.-Gen. Arshad said he was unaware of any demands from the militants. “This jirga is continuing its efforts but the process takes time,” he said.

The soldiers were captured on August 30 when they were travelling in trucks from Wana to Laddah.

Several newspapers quoted a man identifying himself as Zulfiqar Mehsud, who claimed he was a spokesman for militant leader Baithullah Mehsud, saying the militants had handed over a list of 10 militants that they want released from government custody. Meanwhile, 10 other Frontier Constabulary personnel were feared kidnapped in Mohmand tribal agency on Saturday.

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