LANDI KOTAL: After remain in their custody for 155 days, 17 Pakistaniabductees were released by unknown militants somewhere in Afghanistan andarrived their village safe and sound on Saturday.

It is to be mentioned here that on 4rth September, 2017, unknown armedpersons kidnapped 17 tribesmen, comprised seven families of Abdukhadvillage, who had been in Anzar Naw, the remote and bordering area forrepairing gravity water supply scheme.

The Assistant Political Agent, Landi Kotal Niaz Muhammad told the lastnight at 9:00 pm, the kidnappers were received from the Afghan securityforce at Zaman Sapary border entrance where from they were taken to forcescantonment and on Saturday morning they were handed over to their heirs atceremony initiated in the cantonment and was attended by administration andforces officials beside tribal elders.

Warm welcome was given as hundreds of local tribal thronged to theadministration office gate to receive their co-tribal. Sharing hisunpleasant experience, an 8th grade student abductee, Ayazullah s/o AbdulMalik said that early days of his abduction were tough as the kidnappersput us in dark room, somewhere in Afghanistan and sometime subjected us tophysical torture, however he added later on, they started change theirbehavior towards us.

“I am delighted to set free but I am depressed as I have missed much of mylessons in school”, he regretted. Abdul Malik, father of the studentexpressed his delight over the safe release of the abductees and saidwithout support of Khyber Political Alliance, political administration,journalist community and Member Parliament release of their relatives wasimpossible.

On a query he added that no single penny had been as ransom although themilitants were repeatedly demanding it. The effected families thanked andappreciated of cooperation of all segment of the society extended to themin time of need.