ISLAMABAD: Taleban militants yesterday abducted some 400 students of a military-run college in northwest Pakistan. The students of Razmak Cadet College with teachers and relatives were on way to Bannu from the tribal agency of North Waziristan in a convoy of vehicles when they were stopped by heavily armed militants.
“The driver of one of the vehicles managed to escape and students reported to us that their mates have been kidnapped by the Taleban,” said Razaq Khan, a police officer in Bakka Kheil village in the area. “The students reported that one Taleb carrying a hand grenade boarded each of the buses and took them away. We don’t know where they have gone,” he said.
The students were going on summer vacation.
Police are negotiating with the Taleban for the release of the captives, said Mirza Mohammad Jihadi, an adviser to Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.
Police officer Meer Sardar said the abduction happened about 30 km from the college premises. The students and teachers were in a convoy of 30 mini-buses, cars and other vehicles.
Cadet colleges in Pakistan are usually run by retired military officers to educate teenagers. They also typically provide room and board.
