Taliban Free Captive Chinese Engineer in Pakistan

In a gesture of goodwill to accompany their 10-day ceasefire with the Pakistani government, Taliban insurgents in northwestern Pakistan on Saturday released Long Xiaowei, one of two Chinese engineers kidnapped in late August.  Long was the insurgents’ one remaining Chinese hostage after his fellow captive escaped in October.  From the International Herald Tribune:

Pakistani officials on Sunday hammered out a peace deal with a Taliban-linked group that could lead to the enforcement of elements of Islamic law in parts of the northwest, prompting militants in the blood-soaked Swat Valley to declare a 10-day cease-fire as a goodwill gesture.

[Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan] announced the militants had freed a Chinese engineer held captive for nearly six months as a positive gesture. Long Xiaowei — who was kidnapped in August — was freed Saturday, days before a planned visit to China by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari.

Khan also announced the 10-day cease-fire.

Chinese engineer Long Xiaowei makes a call home at the Chinese embassy in Islamabad after six months in captivity. (Photo: AP/Xinhua, Li Jingchen)

Chinese engineer Long Xiaowei makes a call home at the Chinese embassy in Islamabad after six months in captivity. (Photo: AP/Xinhua, Li Jingchen)

CDT EBOOKS

Subscribe to CDT

SUPPORT CDT

Unbounded by Lantern

Now, you can combat internet censorship in a new way: by toggling the switch below while browsing China Digital Times, you can provide a secure "bridge" for people who want to freely access information. This open-source project is powered by Lantern, know more about this project.

Google Ads 1

Giving Assistant

Google Ads 2

Anti-censorship Tools

Life Without Walls

Click on the image to download Firefly for circumvention

Open popup
X

Welcome back!

CDT is a non-profit media site, and we need your support. Your contribution will help us provide more translations, breaking news, and other content you love.