Militants demand their Al-Qaeeda member for safe release of Afghan media advisor

PESHAWAR: Militants operating in the Upper Dir-150 miles away from Peshawar, capital of North West Frontier Province, near to Pak-Afghan border-demanded their Al-Qaeeda member for safe release Akhtar Kohistani, the media advisor of Ministery of Rural Rehabilitation and Development Social Production Department of Afghanistan. A high police official told this correspondent on the condition of not disclosing his name that a jirga held between militants and a delegation of local elders led by Aman Ullah, an influential Myer of union council Doog Dara. “Militants demanded their colleague Qari Mohaee din known as Abdullah for the safe release of Akhtar Kohistani”, police official said. According to the sources, “Al-Qaeeda member Qari Mohaee Din is an Afghan and is an important member of Al-Qaeeda network”. Qari Mohaee Din was arrested during an encounter in district Mardan-70 miles away from Peshawar, capital of NWFP and shifted to an unknown place, sourced said. On contacting police chief of Upper Dir, Eejaz Khan, confirmed jirga between the militants and the local elders. He further said that police was searching the area and try their level best to recover the Akhtar Kohistani. According to source, Afghan media advisor escaped from the captive of militants three days ago but he was captured again by them. "Akhtar Kohistani has been abducted from the area of Daroosh, outskirts of the Chitral on November 03, 2008 from the house of hi father-in-law Shah Maither, elder brother of MNA price Mahaee Din, belong to royal family of Chitral, sources said.