Militant commander Abdullah Bahar demands release of TTP prisoners in return for the tourist's release. PHOTO: FILE
The Chinese tourist, identified as Hong Xu Dong, was kidnapped while on a cycling tour of the country, police and Taliban sources said.
He was kidnapped on May 19, around 2pm, while cycling 65 kilometres from DI Khan.
Two men on a motorcycle abducted him, leaving his cycle behind on the spot.
The police were informed about an abandoned cycle believed to be that of a tourist. Upon searching it, the tourist’s passport was found. Locals helped the police in discovering the path of the kidnappers.
However, the suspects had dumped their motorcycle in Kot Sultan Jungle and taken the tourist with them.
Daraban police said they are searching for the victim.
Militant commander Abdullah Bahar called Express News and claimed that they had taken him hostage and demanded the release of their prisoners in return for the tourist's release.
"We kidnapped the Chinese tourist. He is now in our hands," he said. "We will demand the release of our fighters who are in government custody."
COMMENTS (37)
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Congratulations TTP, you have upped the bar. Chinese government will not be as forgiving to your likes as Pakistani government is. True test for "Higher than mountain" friendship of Pakistan with China.
This was actually quite foolish of the Chinese cyclist to ride in that area. In fact most Chinese should NOT visit Pakistan at all unless via official and secured channels as they would definitely be easy targets in Pakistan.
@AK47: What a stupid question, what thousand of Pakistanis doing in China, Pakistanies have liberty to go in China every where, doing business ,travel, as both country have so close relations. Instead of finding the Chinese friend asking stupid questions, shame on you.... Pak Govt must release this Chinese on any cost...
@Jahangir Chauhan: Sorry. Did not follow what is it that i am wishing that is negative? That the killers of innocent Pakistanis be held accountable? Please see the two comments ahead of mine. Are they not saying the same thing?
@Assad: When Pakistan sends soldiers to India and claims they were 'freedom fighters', if India tries to prove that indeed Pakistan army was involved, that is propaganda?
@Gp65: Why would he accept the bodies to further Indian propaganda? Only a numbskull sitting on the Indian side would think that. This had nothing to do with the dishonor of not taking our dead back and all to do with the Indian attempts to use our dead as propaganda fodder.
Keep your Indian ploys to yourself, nobody in the know is taken up by them.
This is the result of playing with the fire for the past three decades and still refusing to abandon it.
@AK47: "What was that Chinese doing in DI Khan? " . Right. He should have obtained a written permission from you before going there.
And this happened in KP, where Tsunami is in power. In power?
@Rahul: True that!!
@Uzair: I completely agree with you. What is the point of negotiations! They keep on killing and our government officials just keep on condemning the act over media.
@AK47: better you read news before commenting.
@Gp65: that's what you inside wish but that will not going to happen.
Talk to the wise and knowledgeable people of NWFP (KP). And they will tell you that majority of the Pakistani Talibans (TTP) are nothing but looters, drug peddlars, kidnappers, dacoits who for centuries have roamed the Afghan/Pak border looting/raiding caravans and villages. Few of them are ideologically or religiuosly driven. Therefore the bulk are taking refuge behind the name of Islam and doing what they always did. Eliminate this vermin totally using overwhelming power. Notice that everytime our Army hits them bad they want to talk. They only understand the bullet.
So the Chinese was on the bicycle and talibans came on a car to kidnap him? Wah..! Looks like talibans are more resourceful than the poor Chinese.
Looks like the sweeter-than-honey relationship just received a handful of sichuan pepper. Something tells me a lot of India's problems will be solved quietly, quickly, and efficiently. Also, the two-nation theory is extremely true because Modi won and stuff.
@guru: “This will deteriorate chinese pakistan relationship.
This will deteriorate Sino Pak relationship only if Pak govt. does not do enough to free him safe and sound. This will include succumbing to TTP demands. Pak Govt has to weigh the options of getting the chinese tourist's throat slit before a camera and invite ire from China or to release the deadly TTP militants.
Reminds me of Indian Airlines hijack in Kandhar. India released the militants to secure release of its citizens and later the militants walked into pakistan and roam freely till date.
We are a superpower and we shall avenge the suffering inflicted upon all Ummah by anyone...
@Faizan: musharraf proved himself on the battlefield? Heck he did not have the courage to even accept the dead bodies of those he sent to fight at Kargill.
@guru:
Let's hope it happens as balance of payments is wholly in interest of China. We are making them richer and getting poorer as a result.
sad.
@Faizan: If General Musharraf was such a great Leader, and did a marvelous job, how come Islamic militants are still at large. I think Pakistan needs people such as IK who will negotiate. Not some hothead who supposedly solves one problem, only to create many others by radicalizing a large number of people, which has been happening in spades over the last 13 years.
There is no such thing as a "splinter group". They are all one entity. The PMLN government is just failing on all fronts. An utter embarrassment.
@guru: "This will deteriorate chinese pakistan relationship. . Obviously that's the whole idea.
Let's keep the tourist until Chinese repair the faulty train engines they just gave us. Apparently three of the engines have died within 24 hours.
What was that Chinese doing in DI Khan?
Not to worry. They just took him in to show him some true Pakistani hospitality.
this is what exactly ttp did and angered the nation and Musharraf raided their hide outs including lal masjid. same govt. must do this time, because Pakistan can't bear this kind of blackmailing at any cost.
@ZH: It justifies in any case the hundredfold class societies of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh
The Marxist class model of a society understands under classes, large social groups
that differ according to their ownership proportion to the means of production.
According to Marx, the economically dominant class is the same whatever the politically
dominant class is.
Society in capitalism is therefore always class society and the state always class state!
@Gp65: Musharraf was a military leader who proved his wit in the battle field and hence launched the Lal Masjid course of action. PM is a politician. Keep that in mind please. There will be no Lal Masjid incident. There will be no 'action' taken to save the poor chinese soul. And if there is an 'action' taken it will only lead to the release of TTP fighters who will go on to kill more innocent Pakistanis. That is the sad reality of our country.
Strategic ally vs strategic asset?
This is a conspiracy of Mr. Modi to destabilize the stabilized Pakistan........This justifies the Two-Nation Theory....
Another Lal masjid moment. Just as the kidnapping of a couple of Chinese ladies had finally forced Musharraf's hands - this event will force Nawaz to take action against 'stakeholders'- actions that the merciless killing of tousands of innocent Pakistanis did nit precipitate.
No.....no......we must talk with them ...they are our misguided brothers......DISGRACEFUL. The inaction of our security agencies is making them look as inept as our political leadership.
Let's keep negotiating with these thugs, the negotiations haven't stopped them so far from kidnapping and killing tourists and mountaineers, or blowing up schools, killing polio works, and a hundred other crimes. Let's keep negotiating until they have taken over the state of Pakistan.
PATHETIC GOVERNMENT AND PATHETIC SUPPORTERS OF SURRENDER TO THE THUGS.