By DPA
Islamabad : Islamic militants claimed Saturday that they had captured 100 more security personnel, a day after they released 48 captives in Pakistan’s northwestern valley of Swat.
“We did not want unnecessary bloodshed, and that is why we assured them that they would be allowed to return to their homes safely if they surrender,” said militant spokesman Maulana Sirajuddin.
He said the captives would be released before the media later in the day.
The 100 troops, mainly police officers, were under siege since Oct 26 at a police station and hospital in the Matta area, after clashes erupted there following deployment of additional troops to curb a rebellion by radical cleric Maulana Fazlullah.
Hundreds of heavily armed extremists exchanged heavy fire with the security forces, which pounded their positions in the mountains with artillery fire.
Helicopter gun ships were used in the firefight, which left more than 200 people dead including dozens of government troops.
On Thursday, the rebels surrounded and disarmed 48 paramilitary soldiers, who were released Friday.
“We did not want to fight these Muslims brothers (militants) who are striving for the enforcement of Islamic sharia (law),” a captive told reporters before the release.
The major part of the scenic valley, some 160 km from the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) capital Peshawar, remained under the control of Fazlullah, who is demanding enforcement of Taliban-style rule in the area.
Several dozen Al Qaeda militants, who fled to the area after US-led forces invaded Afghanistan in 2001, are reportedly aiding him.
The militant spokesman said the resistance was totally indigenous at the moment.
“We have not yet asked our brothers in tribal areas and Afghanistan for help,” Sirajuddin said.