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Wang Ende,
one of Chinese hostages, weeps when greeted
by
his colleagues after freed unhurt.
(Xinhua) |
Pakistani forces launched an operation Thursday to free the two Chinese
engineers held hostage in its western tribal belt, leaving one of the duo
killed.
Wang Ende, 49, was seen step down of an aircraft
that reached the Chakalala military base later on Thursday, unhurt, and
the Chinese embassy confirmed Ende's safety.
Ende told reporters that he has made a phone-call talking to "every one"
at home, a huge relief to the family, which has been in anxiety since his
capture on Saturday.
Ende expressed the gratitude to the Chinese
embassy for its efforts to secure his release, to the Chinese government
and Chinese people for their concern over his safety.
The dead body of Wang Peng, the fellow victim, is expected to be sent
to a military hospital in Rawalpindi, twin-city of the capital, later the
day, said the embassy.
The other two hostages, one Pakistani policeman and
one driver, were released by the captors
prior to the raid, said a press release from the
military's Interservices Public Relations.
All the five abductors were killed in the shoot-out with the Pakistani
troops, the release said.
It said tribal elders, political and religious leaders all made hectic
efforts for the safe release of the hostages.
Relatives of Abudullah Mahsud, the master-mind of the kidnapping, were
also engaged in the rescue efforts, said the release, adding that as all
the peaceful bids have failed, the security forces launched the operation.
The military operation started at around 12:00 local time and finished
about 15 minutes later.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri called on Chinese Ambassador
Zhang Chunxiang Thursday afternoon to express regret that the operation
had not successfully rescued both hostages.
Zhang displayed his understanding of the efforts having been made by
the Pakistani side and called for a joint effort by the two sides to
handle the aftermath of the tragedy properly.
He also urged the Pakistani minister to take all
necessary measures to beef up
the
protection of other Chinese expatriates there.
(Xinhua) | 
Updated: 2004-10-15 10:27