Taliban free eight officials in Pakistan: tribal leader

Taliban have released eight of around two dozen government officials kidnapped more than two weeks ago in a restive northwestern region, a tribal elder said Friday. The officials were abducted on July 9 in retaliation for the arrest of seven militants in troubled Hangu district near the Afghan border. The army wrapped up a week-long anti-extremist operation in Hangu this week. "Taliban have released eight government officials as a goodwill gesture after a jirga held talks with them in Orakzai tribal district," Maulana Hussain Asghar told Agencies. Orakzai, one of Pakistan's semi-autonomous tribal regions bordering Afghanistan, adjoins Hangu. Those released belong to the police, banking, telephone and electricity supply departments, Asghar said. There was no word on the reminaing hostages.