The hostage drama that has been unfolding for the last fortnight in Loralai district in Punjab turned ugly yesterday after negotiations between the kidnappers and the administration failed. The kidnappers attached bombs to themselves and their hostages. Unconfirmed reports said one of the hostages died after a heart attack, possibly out of fright.
| Yep. Having a bomb hung around your neck'll sometimes do that... |
Former Minister Abdul Rehman Khitran and Pir Agha, a local religious leader, have been negotiating with the kidnappers on behalf of the administration, but the talks failed after the government refused to release four convicted murderers in exchange for the hostages. âThe kidnappers have attached bombs to themselves and the bodies of the hostages to deter any law enforcement operation to get the hostages released,â said Shahid Iqbal, district police officer in Rajanpur. âWe are confident the hostages will be released soon. However, we will not let anyone to take any action that might put the lives of the hostages in danger,â said Jamal Khan Leghari, district nazim of Dera Ghazi Khan. |