NWFP Governor Ali Jan Orakzai contradicted reports circulating on Monday that “dangerous terrorists” had been released to militants in exchange for over 200 soldiers who were taken hostage in South Waziristan nearly two months ago. “There is no truth [to the reports] that [security] personnel were freed conditionally,” he told reporters here at Governor’s House after administering an oath to justice (r) Ajmal Mian as caretaker provincial minister.
Asked to comment on media reports that the government had freed “dangerous terrorists” in return for the release of 213 soldiers from the custody of Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud, the governor said the “whole matter was disposed of through a traditional tribal jirga”. There is no truth to such reports, Orkazai reiterated.
| "Nope. Nope. Never happened." |
The governor said all options, including dialogue and action, were being considered to tackle militancy in Swat. He said work on all these options was underway, and added that he was sure that peace and tranquillity would be restored in the area very soon.
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