Taliban claim prisoners swap with security forces

The Pakistani Taliban on Wednesday claimed exchange of prisoners with the security forces in Waziristan tribal region.

The army however rejected the Taliban claim.

Taliban spokesman, Shahidullah Shahid, told the media that the Taliban have handed over three security men and secured the release of six Taliban members.

He said the freed Taliban belonged to Khan Said faction of the TTP in South Waziristan

Shahid would not say the prisoners exchange was part of the possible talks with the government.

“Talks had been going on for the exchange of prisoners for a long time and both sides reached agreement,” the TTP leader said.

He refused to divulge names of the freed Taliban but said they have reached in areas under their control somewhere in Waziristan tribal region.

The army denies the Taliban claim as false.

“Pakistan military rejected the news of swap over of any prisoners with Taliban as being reported by a foreign news agency,” the army spokesman, Maj. Gen. Asim Bajwa said in a text message to the media persons.

Independent confirmation of the claims is not possible as the journalists’ access to the areas under the control of the military and the Taliban is limited.

The development came just days after a grand conference of the political and religious parties called upon the government to initiate talks with the Taliban to end bloodshed in the country. 

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=41604

Posted by Tahir Khan on Sep 11 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.