KOHAT, Nov 22: A grand jirga started deliberations to secure the release of seven men held hostage by Taliban in the Darra Adamkhel area for the past four days. The Taliban had freed three women and a man on Tuesday night. All of them were seized in “reaction to the violence” in Kurram Agency.

The district coordination officer and political agent of the Frontier Region of Kohat, Kamran Khan, told Dawn that the Bangash tribe elders had given them names of five people who had gone missing while travelling from Peshawar on Monday. Their identities could not be confirmed but sources said the Taliban were holding at least a dozen men belonging to settled and tribal areas of southern NWFP.

“According to our information, the Taliban are holding seven men and we have told the jirga to negotiate their release. They will be freed soon unconditionally,” Mr Khan said.

Meanwhile, Dawn learnt that the Kurram Agency Taliban were extorting ‘donations’ in Thall area ostensibly for treating some wounded militants.