Release International

The Pakistani Taliban are accused of abducting and killing three Christian aid workers who were trying to bring relief supplies to flood survivors.

Officials reportedly recovered the bodies on August 25, two days after members of the local Taliban attacked an aid vehicle and kidnapped the three foreign workers. They had reportedly been working in and around Mingora city in Swat district, North-West Frontier Province.

Military sources withheld the news from the general media to avoid causing alarm to other aid agencies working in Pakistan – but have now allowed Compass Direct news agency to publish the news in limited form. The international agency that employed the three murdered aid workers has not been named.

A spokesman for the Pakistani army said that the Taliban had given warning that it would attack 'foreign aid workers and Christian organisations', according to Compass Direct. He also said that security forces have been deployed in areas such as Swat to provide extra protection for relief workers.

The small Christian minority in Swat have been particularly hard pressed in recent years as Islamist militants and government troops have fought for control of the district.

(Source: Compass Direct)

* Ask God to comfort the families and friends of the murdered aid workers. Ask Him to protect all those trying to bring practical support and comfort to flood survivors.
* Pray that the relief effort will reach those most in need in Pakistan. Pray too that Christians will not be discriminated against in the distribution of vital supplies.

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