Taliban release hostages after Rs3m ransom

The two hostages had been picked from Peshawar about 10 months ago.

The Taliban have released two kidnapped persons belonging to Multan, who had been picked up from Peshawar about 10 months ago.

Muhammad Hassan, 22, the son of a well-known hotel owner Muhammad Bashir and his friend Saeed, 23, had gone to Peshawar with their colleague Khan Muhammad in pursuit of a good deal on motorbikes.

Muhammad deceived the two into believing that he would help them purchase motorbikes at a cheap rate from Peshawar. He then kidnapped the two at gun-point near Bannu and took them to North Waziristan.

Muhammad’s Taliban companions held Hassan and Saeed hostage for 10 months, while Hassan’s father tried to negotiate through traders belonging to the Peshawar marble association.

According to reports, the Taliban released the men after payment of Rs3 million. The initial ransom demand was for Rs200 million.

After being freed, Hassan told Express 24/7 that the Taliban in North Waziristan are also holding hostage three more people including a doctor who is a British national.

According to reports, the Taliban have demanded more than Rs500 million for the release of the other three hostages.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 22^nd, 2010.