Pakistani security forces kill 30 militants in restive northwest — military

PESHAWAR: The Pakistani Taliban on Saturday freed a worker of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), who was kidnapped among more than a dozen others this month in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, and handed over body of another employee who had died in captivity, police said.
The Pakistani Taliban, which have recently stepped up attacks in Pakistan’s restive northwest, had kidnapped more than a dozen workers of the sensitive government agency, responsible for nuclear energy projects, from the volatile Lakki Marwat district on Jan. 9.
Eight of them were later released through joint efforts by tribal elders and amid a search operation conducted by police and security forces in the dense forest area where the militants had reportedly taken the kidnapped employees.
While the Pakistani government had not issued a statement on the incident, Shahid Marwat, the Lakki Marwat police spokesperson, had confirmed that a group of nearly 18 “civilians” working on “atomic and mining projects” had been kidnapped by armed gunmen.
“Following hectic efforts by local administration and [tribal] elders, one of the abductees has been set free, while they [kidnappers] have handed over dead body of another abductee to the elders,” Marwat told Arab News on Saturday.
“Eight employees are still in kidnappers’ captivity.”
There was no immediate confirmation of the development by the Pakistani government or the PAEC, but the Pakistani Taliban said they released the worker as a “goodwill gesture.”
“An atomic energy commission official was released as a goodwill gesture at the request of tribal elders,” they said in a statement.
Marwat said it wasn’t immediately clear how one of the abductees had died in captivity.
“His dead body is in hospital for postmortem to know if he was killed by the kidnappers or he had died of natural causes,” he told Arab News.
Earlier this month, the militants released a video of the abductees, in which a man was seen reading out the demands laid by the kidnappers, requesting the government to “immediately” accept them.
The demands included the release of militants arrested in Lakki Marwat, the release of families of militants allegedly in government custody, a commitment not to demolish the homes of militants and their relatives in the future, and compensation for the homes already demolished in the region.
Lakki Marwat is situated on the edge of Pakistan’s northwestern tribal districts bordering Afghanistan, where the TTP has frequently targeted security force convoys and check-posts, in addition to engaging in targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcers and government officials in recent months.

KARACHI: The government in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province has banned vehicles without the ancient Ajrak-inscribed registration plates from plying the roads from April 3, the Sindh excise department said on Saturday.
Ajrak, a vibrant block-printed cotton cloth with striking crimson and indigo hues, is deeply ingrained in the Sindhi culture. Adorned with symmetrical patterns and sparkling white motifs, primarily stars, it is believed to have roots in the ancient Indus Valley Civilization.
The cherished fabric accompanies every stage of life in Sindh, from infant cradles to grand ceremonial occasions. Its versatility is reflected in its wide array of uses as a hammock for infants, bridal accessory, turban, shawl, bed cover, tablecloth, meaningful gift, and as a token of respect for honored guests.
The Sindh government had decided to replace the old, yellow-colored registration plates with white, Ajrak-inscribed plates in July 2021, keeping the province’s traditions in view. While some motorists adopted the new plates, owners of more than 3 million vehicles continue to use the old ones, according to the excise department.
“This will not only allow vehicles from Sindh to represent their province wherever they travel, but also showcase the region’s 6,000-year-old history of peace and civilization,” Shabbir bin Babar, a spokesperson of the Sindh excise department, told Arab News.
In December last year, the excise and taxation department had made it mandatory for all private and commercial vehicles to obtain the new plates.
The significance of Ajrak in Sindh’s culture can also be gauged from a bust of the Priest-King excavated at Mohenjo-daro, a UNESCO world heritage site and the largest settlement of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization that flourished around 2,500 BCE, that is currently housed in the National Museum of Pakistan in Karachi, depicting his one shoulder draped in a cloth resembling Ajrak.
Sindh Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla told Arab News the initiative is aimed at celebrating the region’s rich culture.
“No weapons have ever been found among the artifacts unearthed at Mohenjo-daro, which sets it apart from other ancient discoveries worldwide,” he said.
“But we have the discovery of beautiful Ajrak, which signifies that the inhabitants of Sindh were always a peace-loving and civilized people.”
Chawla said Ajrak is an integral part of Sindh’s rich culture that reflects the region’s hospitality.
“The people of Sindh are considered some of the most hospitable globally,” he said. “[Ajrak is] a reflection of these traditions and their deep connection with the land.”