The Taliban in northwestern Pakistan's restive Swat valley Sunday released a government official after holding him hostage for several hours.
The District Coordination Officer of Swat, Khushhal Khan was transferred to Swat valley two days ago and he was on his way to Saidu Sharif area for taking over the charge when kidnapped along with six bodyguards, according to local press reports..
The News Network International news agency quoted Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan as saying that the official was "not kidnapped" but was stopped "as a guest" for a cup of tea, Xinhua reported.
Muslim Khan said that they had allowed the official to go after "taking care of him as a guest."
The incident came just one day after the government and Tehrik- e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Swat chapter agreed to a permanent ceasefire in the militancy-hit Swat Valley after Maulana Fazlullah accepted the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation.
After successful negotiations with a banned group called Tehrik- e-Nifaz Shariat Muhammadi (TNSM), the North West Frontier Province government on Feb. 16 promulgated the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation, according to which Islamic laws would be enforced in Malakand division and also Swat valley once peace was restored in Swat.
Following the announcement, the TNSM chief Sufi Mohammed went further to talk to Fazlullah who, according to media reports, was the leader of Taliban militants in Swat valley.
...