The banned terrorist outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) said on Sunday linked the release of former Islamia College University (ICU) vice-chancellor Professor Ajmal Khan to the release of arrested head of banned Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM) Sufi Muhammad.
Khan is in Taliban captivity since September 7, 2010. He was kidnapped along with his driver at gunpoint from the University of Peshawar. His driver was released two years later.
The terrorists’ announcement is one of the first developments to have taken place after Mullah Fazlullah, popularly known as Mullah Radio, became the TTP top terrorist. Muhammad is his father-in-law.
The TNSM chief was arrested in 2009 and was tried for various cases, including, attempted murder, rioting and stopping government employees from performing duties.
Meanwhile, reports from Mingora said that panic gripped the people of Swat after the appointment of Mullah Radio. They feared that the revengeful Fazlullah would try to carry out terrorist attacks with the help of other FATA-based terrorists.
However, security agencies have intensified their patrolling and intelligence gathering activities to prevent terrorists from entering into the peaceful tourist attraction. They have assured the people not to be afraid of any resurgence of the terrorist group in Swat.
Separately, the TTP said it had not demanded the release of Sufi Muhammad in exchange of Professor Khan.
Talking to a private TV channel, the TTP spokesman Shahidullah Shahid said they had never made such demand. Shahid also warned the media to refrain from spreading baseless news about the terrorist outfit.
