KOHAT, July 23: Local militants released manager National Bank of Pakistan, Parachinar Khurshid Khattak who was held hostage along with 29 government officials, with the efforts of former Karak district MNA Shah Abdul Aziz, officials said on Wednesday.

The bank manager was kidnapped, while he was on his way to his home on weekend during the military operation in Hangu district from Tora Warai area on July 12.

Shah Abdul Aziz enjoys immense respect among the al-Qaeda and Taliban and his popularity increased after he performed the role of a top negotiator during the Jamia Hafsa saga, trying to resolve the issue peacefully.

After the release of the manager there were 28 government officials still in the custody of militants, who were taken hostage between July 9 and July 13.

The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, headquartered in Waziristan had been repeatedly issuing warnings to the provincial government to resign and end operation in Hangu or they will kill the hostages one by one.

They had so far extended the deadline for starting killing twice and might start killing them or targeting NWFP government ministers.

The hostages were being kept somewhere in the area between Thall and Parachinar in Sadda tehsil of Kurram Agency. They also include eight soldiers of Kurram militia, low-ranking official of military intelligence and a soldier from signals unit of Pakistan Army. The rest are bank employees, Wapda and PTCL officials.