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Taliban Frees Kidnapped Pakistan Envoy

Ambassador freed after Pakistan releases over 40 militants

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted May 17, 2008 7:19 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Taliban militants released Pakistan’s ambassador to Afghanistan today soon after the Pakistani government liberated over 40 Taliban fighters, a Pakistan security official said. The government has not yet given official details of Ambassador Tariq Azizuddin’s release. He had been kidnapped February 11, along with his driver and guard, on his way back to the Afghan capital; kidnappers passed him to fighters loyal to Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud, Reuters reports.

“I can confirm he is released, and he is safe and sound,” said a Foreign Ministry rep.

In this photo, taken from Al-Arabiya satellite TV video aired April 19, Ambassador Tariq Azizuddin appears, saying he was kidnapped by Taliban militants over two months before.
In this photo, taken from Al-Arabiya satellite TV video aired April 19, Ambassador Tariq Azizuddin appears, saying he was kidnapped by Taliban militants over two months before.   (AP Photo/Al-Arabiya)
In this Feb. 12, 2008 file photo, a portrait of missing Pakistani Ambassador to Afghanistan Tariq Azizuddin is shown to the media in Kabul, Afghanistan.
In this Feb. 12, 2008 file photo, a portrait of missing Pakistani Ambassador to Afghanistan Tariq Azizuddin is shown to the media in Kabul, Afghanistan.   (AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq, File)
An empty chair placed for Pakistan's Ambassador to Afghanistan Tariq Azizuddin is seen during an Afghan education development seminar at the foreign ministry in Kabul, Afghanistan, Feb. 12, 2008.
An empty chair placed for Pakistan's Ambassador to Afghanistan Tariq Azizuddin is seen during an Afghan education development seminar at the foreign ministry in Kabul, Afghanistan, Feb. 12, 2008.   (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
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Taliban • Pakistan • Tariq Azizuddin • ambassador

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