Taliban demands release of militants in return for kidnapped Pak soldiers

Peshawar, June 23 (ANI): The Taliban has demanded from the Pakistan government the release of an unspecified number of militants currently locked in jails across the country in return for the 33 Frontier Corps soldiers, who were taken captive by the extremists near the Afghan border a week ago.

According to reports, a self proclaimed Taliban spokesperson Ikramullah Mohmand told media persons over telephone that the Taliban was ready to release the troops if the government accepts it demands.

"We are ready to exchange prisoners with the government as our comrades are in government custody too," The Daily Times quoted Mohmand, as saying.

He also warned that the soldiers would be killed if their demands were rejected.

"You know, we are in a state of war and cannot afford to keep these soldiers for long," Mohmand told mediapersons from an undisclosed location.

Over 60 FC personnel went missing after the Taliban attacked their check-post near the Afghan border last week.

Six bodies of the slain soldiers were retrieved through a tribal jirga, while 14 soldiers were handed over to the Pakistan Consulate in Jalalabad. (ANI)