Reports Differ on Pakistani Troops Captured By Taliban
September 10, 2007
September 10, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- There are conflicting reports today about the fate of some 260 Pakistani troops who were abducted by pro-Taliban militants on August 30 in a tribal region of Pakistan.
The Associated Press quotes Pakistani security officials and an unnamed militant as saying the soldiers were handed over to members of a tribal council today in the South Waziristan village of Ladha.
But a spokesman for Pakistan's army, General Washid Arshad, told RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan that the tribal council was still negotiating for the release today.
Radio Free Afghanistan also quotes reports that the handover had begun today, but stalled when fighting broke out between Pakistani troops and pro-Taliban militants near Ladha.
(with material from agency reports)