Pak Government frees 100 Mehsud tribesmen

Peshawar, Sept 4: The Pakistan Government has freed 100 Mehsud tribesmen after tribal commander Baitullah Mehsud threatened to behead five soldiers daily if his people were not released.

Militants, who are holding hundreds of soldiers hostage, also demanded the withdrawal of forces from the restive South Waziristan tribal region and the release of 15 alleged would-be suicide bombers who are in government custody, said an official.

The tribals were arrested soon after militants took security personnel hostage.

The authorities had made the arrests to strengthen their bargaining position in dealing with the Mehsud militants and pressurise them to release the hostages, the said an official.

Senator Salih Shah, a key member of the tribal jirga, who had earlier negotiated the release of 19 paramilitary soldiers, confirmed the demand for withdrawal of military forces from the Mehsud area, and the release of their comrades.

The jirga has been shuttling back and forth between the militants and the authorities for the last three days.

A military spokesman said all steps would be taken to ensure the security of the area and the safety of troops.

Maulana Esamuddin, a member of the Mehsud tribal jirga, said the authorities had asked the jirga to secure the release of the 270-army personnel, the Dawn reported.

Military spokesman Major-General Waheed Arshad has acknowledged the existence of a hostage situation.

ANI
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