Peshawar (AsiaNews) – The 5 Christians kidnapped on January 4th last by suspected Taliban militants in Waziristan province were released late last night. It appears the Christians were released after intense “political pressure” on the kidnappers.
The 5 men kidnapped - Altaf Masih, Babar Masih, Emanuell, Sakhawat Masih and his son Imran Masih – were travelling to Wana a Der, when men surrounded the vehicle they were in and captured them.
According to local sources the kidnap was orchestrated by Baitullah Mehsud, the infamous Taliban commander close to Afghan terrorism. Moreover Islamabad believe he is chiefly to be held responsible for the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, la leader of the opposition Pakistan Peoples Party (Ppp) who was killed in a 27 December attack in circumstances that have yet to be ascertained.