LANDI KOTAL, April 21: Militants took eight militiamen hostage after the Frontier Corps foiled an attempt by them on Monday to kidnap two employees of the World Wood Programme.

The eight hostages, all belonging to the Mehsud Scouts, were freed by their captors after the Frontier Corps raided a lair of the group and captured a number of militants.

Earlier during the day, paramilitary forces rescued from the militants two employees of the World Food Programme kidnapped in Zakhakhel area after a fierce gunbattle.

According to officials, at least five FC personnel and two Khasadars were injured in the clash.

The militants who had also held Landi Kotal’s political tehsildar Javidullah Mehsud hostage released him after some time.

An FC spokesman told Dawn that around 50 to 60 militants riding in three pick-up trucks ambushed a group of Frontier Corps militiamen near Prang Sam, in Jamrud sub district, on Monday morning.

A heavy exchange of fire between the two sides left two FC troops dead and five others wounded.

The spokesman said in the afternoon, the militants made another attempt against law enforcement personnel, this time attacking a post of the Mehsud Scouts. They got hold of eight personnel of the force, making them hostage.

The FC rushed a contingent, which raided a hideout of the militants.

The militants, realising that they had been besieged, agreed to exchange the eight FC men for their own detained associates.

Two militants were killed in the attack, the FC claimed.

Kidnapping: The officials said WFP logistics director Sadiq Khan, his driver Zafar and a Khasadar guard were kidnapped after their vehicle was intercepted by at least five masked gunmen on the Zakhakhel road.

They were taken to the Zakhakhel bazaar area in another vehicle. Officials of the Khyber political administration put the number of militants involved in the kidnapping bid at about 200.

The militants opened fire when Khasadar force, Khyber Rifles and levy personnel tried to stop them near the Ziarhai checkpost. Paramilitary forces fired back and the gunbattle continued for quite some time.

The injured security personnel were taken to Peshawar in a helicopter and the freed hostages to Landi Kotal. Security forces sealed all entry and exit routes, including the main Peshawar-Torkham highway, and started patrolling the area. Military helicopters were also seen hovering over the area after the gun battle.

Khyber Agency political administrator Tariq Hayat blamed ‘local thugs’ associated with Baitullah Mahsud for the kidnapping bid.

He praised Frontier Corps personnel and Khasadars for freeing the WFP officials and said that the militants could be successfully intercepted because security along the international highway that links Pakistan with Afghanistan had been recently beefed up.