December 28, 2007	Friday	Zilhaj 17, 1428

KHAR, Dec 27: Armed men kidnapped Senator Maulana Abdur Rashid along with his driver and a guard in Loi Sam area of the Bajaur Agency on Thursday.

Officials said the senator, who headed the 130-strong tribal jirga which is holding talks with the local Taliban, was going from a jirga meeting in the Zorbandar area in his car when he was kidnapped.

Nawagai assistant political agent Mohammad Jamil confirmed the kidnapping. Sources said the kidnappers travelling in three vehicles intercepted the senator’s car and took him away along with his driver and a guard.

It could not be ascertained who were behind the kidnapping.However, the political authorities initiated efforts through tribal elders to recover the senator safely.