17 kidnapped picnickers reach home in Landikotal

LADIKOTAL: The 17 picnickers, who were kidnapped five months back, have reached homes, an official said on Friday.

Assistant Political Agent Niaz Muhammad told The News by telephone that the release of the kidnapped persons belonging to Landikotal was secured after holding repeated jirgas.

He said the freed persons were safe and had reached homes in Landikotal. However, he said he didn’t know whether the families paid ransom to secure their release or they were freed on the humanitarian grounds.

Abdur Rahim Shinwari, a relative of the freed persons, thanked those who had played a role in securing the safe release of his family members.

A wave of happiness spread in Landikotal when people heard about the release of the kidnapped persons.

It may be recalled that unidentified gunmen had kidnapped the 17 picnickers and shifted them to Afghanistan in September last year.