Missing Pak Army troops found

The Pakistan Army today said that over 100 soldiers who went missing on Thursday and were feared captured by pro-Taliban militants, have been found.

Islamabad, Aug 31 : The Pakistan Army today said that over 100 soldiers who went missing on Thursday and were feared captured by pro-Taliban militants, have been found.

"The soldiers, who were missing and feared kidnapped have been found safe. We hope they will return to the camp on Friday," Military spokesman, Major-General Waheed Arshad, said.

Militants in the Mehsud-dominated tribal area had claimed that they had seized 300 men in South Waziristan.

But the Pakistan Army said soldiers in the convoy found shelter in a valley during a storm and would return to their base on Friday.

"There is no suggestion of kidnapping or fighting," Major General Waheed Arshad told a news agency.

Earlier, in a dramatic development, militants in the restive South Waziristan seized over 100 security forces personnel after intercepting a military convoy in the Mehsud-dominated tribal area, officials and local authorities said.

Sources said the convoy was intercepted in Momi Karam area of Luddah subdivision, some 40km north of the agency's WANA headquarters.

The military convoy was on its way from WANA to Luddah.

The Dawn quoted a Taliban spokesman as saying that they had taken this action to prevent the army from moving into Mehsud territory.

He put the figure of security personnel being held hostage at more than 300 but official sources said it was not more than 125.

The incident has took place days after the release of 19 paramilitary soldiers and an administration clerk by the Taliban in South Waziristan.

ANI