The whereabouts of 16 missing paramilitary Frontier Corps personnel, presumed kidnapped by the Taliban, are still unknown despite three-day hectic search operations by the political administration in South Waziristan, local tribes and security forces, sources told Daily Times on Saturday.The soldiers went missing on Thursday from the Jandola-Sara Rogha road when they were on their way in plainclothes to Sara Rogha sub division, South Waziristan Agency, from the FC fort in Jandola in civilian transport.
The political administration here on Friday convened a 30-member jirga of Mahsud and Wazir tribes in Wana, headquarters of South Waziristan, and sough their help for the recovery of the missing FC men.
Tank Assistant Political Agent Akhundzada Yahya Khan also sought the same from the local tribal elders.
Neither the Taliban nor foreign militants have claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.
Inter Services Public Relations Director General Maj Gen Wahid Arshad had reportedly said that the soldiers went missing after they separated from their convoy. "Now security forces will retaliate with full strength," the ISPR DG said, after militants increased attacks on the security forces.
According to local tribesmen, the tribal police have stopped functioning in North Waziristan because of Taliban threats. Besides the Taliban, around 2,500 to 3,000 Uzbek militants are hiding in the area, sources said.