ID :
12492
Mon, 07/14/2008 - 13:28
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http://m.oananews.org//node/12492
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Taliban hands over bodies of 16 security personnel
Islamabad, Jul 14 (PTI) Pakistani Taliban has handed over bodies 16 security personnel killed, half of them executed, in fresh fighting after the arrest of a militantleader in Hangu area of restive North West Frontier Province.
The Taliban handed over bodies of the Frontier Constabulary personnel, who were killed in Saturday's fierce gun battle, to a jirga of tribal elders constituted by the local administration. Earlier in the day, the militants had said they would hand over the bodies only after holding thefuneral of Taliban fighters killed in the fighting.
The fighting erupted Saturday afternoon after the Taliban ambushed a Frontier Constabulary convoy of three vehicles that was making its way from Zargari Fort to Doaba town, which has witnessed heightened tensions between militants and security forces following the arrest of topTaliban commander Rafiuddin on Thursday.
Reports from the Zargari area, the scene of the clash between the Taliban and the Frontier Constabulary, said eight Frontier Constabulary men were killed in the skirmish whileeight more were executed by a Taliban "firing squad".
One paramilitary personnel miraculously survived andmade his way back to Zargari Fort.
A statement issued by the interior ministry said Frontier Constabulary District Officer Karim Khan and hiscompanions were killed by "miscreants".
It did not give the exact number of casualties. Rehman Malik, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Interior Affairs, said those responsible for the attack "would be brought tojustice".
There was confusion on the number of militants killed.
Some reports said five Taliban fighters were killed whileothers said two militants were killed and one was injured.
The situation in Doaba town and other parts of Hangu district took a turn for the worse on Thursday after security forces arrested seven militants, including Rafiuddin, believedto be a deputy of Pakistani Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud.
The Taliban besieged the police station in Doaba and demanded the release of the arrested militants. They withdrew after the army was deployed in the area but claimed they hadtaken 29 security personnel hostage.
There were no reports of fighting in the Hangu area Sunday. However, the administration has recalled all security personnel from check posts in the area to prevent them beingkidnapped by the Taliban.
The army has been deployed in Hangu and an emergency declared in local hospitals. Curfew also remained in force in Doaba town. The N.W.F.P. government has authorised Pir HaiderAli Shah, the M.P. from Hangu, to negotiate with the Taliban.
Dawn News channel quoted official sources as saying that Taliban commander Rafiuddin could be released to ensure peace in the Hangu area. PTI
The Taliban handed over bodies of the Frontier Constabulary personnel, who were killed in Saturday's fierce gun battle, to a jirga of tribal elders constituted by the local administration. Earlier in the day, the militants had said they would hand over the bodies only after holding thefuneral of Taliban fighters killed in the fighting.
The fighting erupted Saturday afternoon after the Taliban ambushed a Frontier Constabulary convoy of three vehicles that was making its way from Zargari Fort to Doaba town, which has witnessed heightened tensions between militants and security forces following the arrest of topTaliban commander Rafiuddin on Thursday.
Reports from the Zargari area, the scene of the clash between the Taliban and the Frontier Constabulary, said eight Frontier Constabulary men were killed in the skirmish whileeight more were executed by a Taliban "firing squad".
One paramilitary personnel miraculously survived andmade his way back to Zargari Fort.
A statement issued by the interior ministry said Frontier Constabulary District Officer Karim Khan and hiscompanions were killed by "miscreants".
It did not give the exact number of casualties. Rehman Malik, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Interior Affairs, said those responsible for the attack "would be brought tojustice".
There was confusion on the number of militants killed.
Some reports said five Taliban fighters were killed whileothers said two militants were killed and one was injured.
The situation in Doaba town and other parts of Hangu district took a turn for the worse on Thursday after security forces arrested seven militants, including Rafiuddin, believedto be a deputy of Pakistani Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud.
The Taliban besieged the police station in Doaba and demanded the release of the arrested militants. They withdrew after the army was deployed in the area but claimed they hadtaken 29 security personnel hostage.
There were no reports of fighting in the Hangu area Sunday. However, the administration has recalled all security personnel from check posts in the area to prevent them beingkidnapped by the Taliban.
The army has been deployed in Hangu and an emergency declared in local hospitals. Curfew also remained in force in Doaba town. The N.W.F.P. government has authorised Pir HaiderAli Shah, the M.P. from Hangu, to negotiate with the Taliban.
Dawn News channel quoted official sources as saying that Taliban commander Rafiuddin could be released to ensure peace in the Hangu area. PTI
