Official rules out release of Mehsud aide despite threats

Islamabad: The government will not release a prominent militant suspect despite threats against its security forces by the top commander of the Pakistani Taliban, the interior ministry chief said.

Rahman Malik also laid out on Sunday what had happened during a deadly encounter between militants and paramilitary forces in the northwest on Saturday that left 21 people dead.

According to Malik, a Frontier Constabulary convoy headed was lured into a trap by five men acting as local guides. The convoy was stopped at a roadblock in the Zargari area of Hangu district, and insurgents suddenly appeared. The five local men said they would go speak to the insurgents, but vanished from the scene.

An ensuing clash killed 16 of the troops, including Karim Khattak, a top local commander for the Frontier Constabulary.

Five militants were also killed, including their commander, whom Malik described as an Afghan Taliban. One of the Frontier Constabulary members hid in a ravine and escaped to tell the tale.

In another attack, a suicide bomber injured at least four people in the volatile region - an attack possibly motivated by sectarian rivalry, officials and a witness said.

Police station siege

Malik said tensions have spiked since the government's arrest last week of a man called Rafiuddin, allegedly a top aide to Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud.

According to Malik, Mehsud is furious over Rafiuddin's arrest and has directed his fighters to kidnap security forces in retaliation and ordered police to release his aide. The Taliban have reacted to the arrest, including staging a siege of a police station, and taking, according to Malik, 19 government employees hostage.

On Sunday, Pakistani Taliban spokesman Maulvi Umar demanded the release of Rafiuddin and other captured militant suspects in return for the hostages' freedom.

Malik however rejected the militants' demands. "No terrorist will be released, whatever the price we have to pay," he said.

An ensuing clash killed 16 of the troops, including Karim Khattak, a top local commander for the Frontier Constabulary. Five militants also were killed, including their commander, whom Malik described as an Afghan Taliban.