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| Abducted Pakistan troops 'freed' | Abducted Pakistan troops 'freed' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Ten paramilitary soldiers kidnapped by suspected Taleban militants in north-west Pakistan have been freed, authorities say. | Ten paramilitary soldiers kidnapped by suspected Taleban militants in north-west Pakistan have been freed, authorities say. |
| More than 50 militants had stormed the military headquarters in the town of Dir and abducted the soldiers. | More than 50 militants had stormed the military headquarters in the town of Dir and abducted the soldiers. |
| There are few details of the release, though the authorities say the move followed talks with local leaders. | There are few details of the release, though the authorities say the move followed talks with local leaders. |
| The military this week launched an operation against militants in the Dir and Buner regions. | The military this week launched an operation against militants in the Dir and Buner regions. |
| The Pakistani government and some Western nations are concerned that the Taleban are trying to extend their influence beyond the Swat Valley, an area which they largely control already. | |
| See a map of the region | |
| The Taleban and the government of North West Frontier Province this year agreed a deal that would bring Sharia law to large parts of the region in return for an end to the insurgency. | |
| However, the Taleban have not laid down their arms. | |
| Civilians flee | |
| The paramilitary soldiers had been abducted at 0200 on Friday (2200 GMT Thursday) after the insurgents surrounded their checkpoint, police said. | |
| They said the militants took a large quantity of arms and ammunition. | They said the militants took a large quantity of arms and ammunition. |
| The army operation is continuing in Buner, although the militants have been driven out of most parts, officials say. | |
| The area is less than 100km (60 miles) from the capital, Islamabad. | |
| Tens of thousands of people have fled the fighting in Dir and Buner. | |
| The increase in army activity follows criticism from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that Pakistan was abdicating to the Taleban. | |
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