Islamabad,Sep 5(ANI): Pakistani tribal elders are holding talks with Taliban militants in Afghanistan urging them to release young tribesmen, who were kidnapped during an outing along the border.
At least 40 young tribesmen were abducted in Afghanistan after crossing into Kunar province on a day-trip from their border villages.
"A tribal jirga (council) from Bajaur is currently holding talks with the terrorists. The future course of action will be decided by tribal elders from both sides of the border," Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Major General Athar Abbas said.
Abbas said 10 boys were released while 30 were still in custody, the Daily Times reports.
The Pakistani Government had earlier said about 60 boys from the ethnic Pashtun Mamoun tribe took part in the outing and that 20 below the age of ten years were allowed to return to Pakistan.
Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik called on Afghan President Hamid Karzai to aid the release of young Pakistanis.
The Pakistani Taliban said it abducted them because they belonged to a tribe opposed to the group.
Tehreek-e-Taliban's Naib Ameer Maulvi Fakhir said only Shura (religious parliament) would decide the fate of abducted children.
He said that he would use all his influence to help the release of the abducted youth. (ANI)
|
|
Comments:
