UN hostage alive, say kidnappers

QUETTA - Baloch Liberation United Front, which has claimed responsibility for kidnapping of John Solecki, a US national working for a UN refugees agency in Quetta, has outrightly denied reports of threats regarding killing of kidnapped UN official.
Earlier on Monday, a unanimous caller had made call to Quetta Press Club and claimed that the kidnapped official of UNCHR would be killed within two hours by his captors.
Press club official who received call told newsmen that unanimous caller just spoke few words regarding his demands and disconnected the phone.
After lapse of more than one and half hours of unanimous caller, the spokesman of BLUF Shyhuq Baloch talking to newsmen via satellite phone from unspecified location rejected the reports saying 'such reports are merely a stupid joke and some one is using our name to spread rumours'.
Agencies add: BLUF spokesman, commenting on media reports that Solecki has been killed, said the UN official was still alive.
"He is alive," spokesman, Shahak Baloch, said in a call to Online news agency. "We have not made any call."
"He is sick and suffering from heart and kidney problems. We are giving him medical treatment," the spokesman said.
Solecki had complained of failing health in a videotape released earlier by his captors.
Solecki, head of the United Nation's High Commissioner for Refugees in Balochistan province, was abducted on Feb 2 by gunmen who ambushed his car and shot dead his driver in Quetta.
The BLUF has threatened to kill Solecki unless the United Nations acts on its demands.
The spokesman said the group was considering a UN request to open communications through an intermediary.
The UNHCR issued an audiotape on Saturday of an appeal by Solecki's 83-year-old mother for her son's release.
"We want to be with John again," Rose Solecki said. "We cannot bear the shock of losing John."