Followers of a local cleric, Maulana Fazlullah, on Wednesday released two police personnel after the administration released three suspected militants. Sources said the Charbagh police had arrested three militants last week in the Gul Bagh blast case. Two of the three arrested people, Sohail and Almagir, were stated to be close friends of the maulana, who called their detention “illegal” and staged demonstrations against the police. Fazlullah also called upon his followers to take police and FC personnel hostage for the safe release of their colleagues.
Following the announcement, some militants attacked the Tutanu Banda checkpost, killing constable Bahadar Jan and kidnapping two others – Gul Mohammad and Amjad. Police charged the maulana with the kidnapping of these policemen. On Wednesday, the political administration held talks with Fazlullah. A spokesman for the maulana later told Daily Times that the talks were successful, unconditional and meant for maintaining peace in the Swat valley. Fazlullah asked his followers to release the kidnapped police constables as the police had freed their men unconditionally. |