Pak frees one abducted Chinese engineer, another re-abducted by Taliban

Islamabad, Oct 18 : Pakistan security forces last evening recovered one of the two abducted Chinese engineers in northwestern parts of the country. ISPR's in-charge in Swat Nadeem Ahmed confirmed that the recovered Chinese engineer was safe and healthy.

Taliban spokesman in Swat Muslim Khan also confirmed that one Chinese engineer had fled, while "the second was re-arrested", reported the Chinese news agency Xinhua.

The freed engineer was flown to Islamabad by a military helicopter hours after he was rescued, added the report.

It also quoted Muslim Khan as saying that the second engineer was injured when Taliban guards opened fire to foil his attempt to flee.

Taliban had demanded ransom and the release of their over 100 jailed colleagues for the release of the Chinese engineers, added the Taliban spokesman.

Two Chinese engineers working with Zhongxing Telecommunication Equipment Company (ZTE) had gone missing on August 29, together with their Pakistani driver and security guard. They were on their way home after finishing their work in Lower Dir and the company lost contact of them.

The Taliban in Swat valley had later claimed responsibility for the abduction.

ANI