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Taleban kidnap Pakistani troops Taleban release Pakistani troops
(about 3 hours later)
Taleban fighters have kidnapped 30 Pakistani policemen and troops in the restive Swat valley in the north-west, police say. Taleban fighters have released 29 Pakistani policemen and troops they captured in a raid on a police station, official sources have confirmed.
Thousands of militants laid siege to the police station, just south of the valley's main town Mingora, on Tuesday. Militants captured the men after besieging a police station in Shamozoi village in the restive Swat valley in the north-west on Tuesday.
Troops were mobilised to break the militants' cordon but could not rescue the surrounded policemen and soldiers as darkness fell, officials said. Officials in the region told the BBC that all had been released unharmed.
One of the men told the BBC they had promised militants they would resign from government service upon release.
The Pakistan military has so far made no official comment.
Thousands of militants laid siege to the police station, just south of the valley's main town, Mingora, for 24 hours.
Troops were mobilised to break the militants' cordon but could not rescue the policemen and soldiers as darkness fell, officials said.
The insurgents destroyed the security post and took the captured security forces to an undisclosed location.
Major battle
Swat valley has been the scene of a major battle since Saturday.Swat valley has been the scene of a major battle since Saturday.
The clash is the latest in an operation against an increasingly powerful Taleban insurgency in the valley.The clash is the latest in an operation against an increasingly powerful Taleban insurgency in the valley.
Dead-end roads
The insurgents attacked the security post in Shamozai village, police said.
They blew up the post and abducted the security men, who were then moved to an undisclosed location.
Civilians in Swat crossfire
Roads which lead west, north and east of Mingora mostly connect areas of tourist interest and end in remote mountain valleys.Roads which lead west, north and east of Mingora mostly connect areas of tourist interest and end in remote mountain valleys.
All have been virtually closed for regular traffic since 2007.All have been virtually closed for regular traffic since 2007.
Civilians in Swat crossfire
Only local people use these roads, but traffic is often disrupted or caught in the crossfire.Only local people use these roads, but traffic is often disrupted or caught in the crossfire.
The only road that has remained fully open is to the south, connecting Mingora with the rest of the country.The only road that has remained fully open is to the south, connecting Mingora with the rest of the country.
This is the region's main trading artery and strategically important to the security forces.This is the region's main trading artery and strategically important to the security forces.
In the past, incidents of traffic disruption on this road have been rare.In the past, incidents of traffic disruption on this road have been rare.
But since last week, militants have repeatedly closed this road, forcing the army to impose curfew in the area, the BBC's M Ilyas Khan reports from Islamabad.But since last week, militants have repeatedly closed this road, forcing the army to impose curfew in the area, the BBC's M Ilyas Khan reports from Islamabad.
This means Mingora is under virtual siege from all four sides.This means Mingora is under virtual siege from all four sides.
Meanwhile, an army spokesman in Mingora said the security forces had consolidated their positions in the Sangota and Manglawar areas to the north, after two days of fierce battles.Meanwhile, an army spokesman in Mingora said the security forces had consolidated their positions in the Sangota and Manglawar areas to the north, after two days of fierce battles.
He said that there were still some pockets of resistance in the area, but fighting had largely died down.He said that there were still some pockets of resistance in the area, but fighting had largely died down.
Over the weekend, the army said it had captured high ground in Charbagh area and neutralised a strategic advantage the militants enjoyed earlier.Over the weekend, the army said it had captured high ground in Charbagh area and neutralised a strategic advantage the militants enjoyed earlier.
Fighting continues unabated in Kabal and Matta sub-districts of Swat.Fighting continues unabated in Kabal and Matta sub-districts of Swat.