The bodies of 17 Pakistani paramilitary soldiers, who had been abducted during clashes with militants, were handed over to a tribal jirga in Kunnar province of Afghanistan, sources said on Thursday. According to the sources, the jirga comprising Pakistani tribal elders held talks with militants for the custody of the bodies. The government blamed the Maulvi Fazlullah group of Pakistani Taliban for the attacks on its forces in the Tribal Areas. It said Falullah was based in Afghan province of Khunnar. Some media reports say the cleric, whose militants were thrown out from Swat in a large military offensive, wanted to avenge his defeat.
