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'Seized' Pakistan official freed | 'Seized' Pakistan official freed |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A senior government administrator in Pakistan's troubled Swat valley has been released by his "kidnappers", officials say. | A senior government administrator in Pakistan's troubled Swat valley has been released by his "kidnappers", officials say. |
Kushal Khan, head of the district's administration, was seized by armed men on his way to Mingora, Swat's main town, on Sunday, witnesses said. | Kushal Khan, head of the district's administration, was seized by armed men on his way to Mingora, Swat's main town, on Sunday, witnesses said. |
A Taleban spokesman said Mr Khan was released in return for two militants. | A Taleban spokesman said Mr Khan was released in return for two militants. |
Taleban rebels have been taking part in negotiations with the government over a permanent ceasefire in Swat. | Taleban rebels have been taking part in negotiations with the government over a permanent ceasefire in Swat. |
More than 1,000 people have been killed and many more have fled the valley since violence intensified in 2007. | More than 1,000 people have been killed and many more have fled the valley since violence intensified in 2007. |
Last week the government and the rebels announced a 10-day ceasefire in the area. | Last week the government and the rebels announced a 10-day ceasefire in the area. |
Sharia probe | Sharia probe |
Officials said Kushal Khan was released by the Taleban late on Sunday. | |
A Taleban spokesman in the region, Muslim Khan, told local media that Mr Khan was freed after the government released two arrested militants. | A Taleban spokesman in the region, Muslim Khan, told local media that Mr Khan was freed after the government released two arrested militants. |
He said the government had also promised to release a third. No government official has so far commented on the development. | He said the government had also promised to release a third. No government official has so far commented on the development. |
But official sources in Swat said Mr Khan had reached Mingora. | But official sources in Swat said Mr Khan had reached Mingora. |
Muslim Khan said that after last week's ceasefire agreement, government forces had killed one Taleban activist in Dir and three others were arrested in Peshawar. | Muslim Khan said that after last week's ceasefire agreement, government forces had killed one Taleban activist in Dir and three others were arrested in Peshawar. |
Following the administrator's disappearance on Sunday, Muslim Khan told Reuters: "He is our guest. We have to discuss some issues with him. We will serve him with tea and then free him." | Following the administrator's disappearance on Sunday, Muslim Khan told Reuters: "He is our guest. We have to discuss some issues with him. We will serve him with tea and then free him." |
He told the BBC the rebels were reviewing government progress on the implementation of Sharia law in Swat. | He told the BBC the rebels were reviewing government progress on the implementation of Sharia law in Swat. |
The Taleban control the entire countryside of Swat, limiting army control to parts of Mingora. | The Taleban control the entire countryside of Swat, limiting army control to parts of Mingora. |