Two Western aid workers kidnapped in Pakistan in January are being held by Taliban near the border with Afghanistan, a senior militant commander told Reuters on Saturday. Gunmen stormed a house in Multan in southern Punjab province on January 19 and drove away with two foreigners - one Italian citizen and the other believed to be German.
"The two NGO workers kidnapped in Multan nearly a month ago are in our custody near the border. We have not made any demands yet," a senior commander of the Pakistan Taliban said. "They are in good health," he added. A Punjab provincial police chief said last month the foreigners were held for ransom. Criminal gangs often target foreign aid workers in Pakistan in hope of securing large ransom for their release. Pakistani officials claim that militant groups, such as Taliban, are also involved in the kidnappings. A senior commander said the Westerners are being held by Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan.