KOHAT, June 7: Seven officials of the local political administration were kidnapped at gunpoint from their houses in Darra Adamkhel on Saturday morning.

The administration identified those officials as Noor Sher Sheraki, Mohib Ali Sheraki, Jamil Khan Sheraki, Noor Saleem Tor Chappar, Aurangzeb Tor Chappar, Mohammed Jamil Tor Chapper and Yar Ali Tor Chappar.

A spokesman for the local Taliban told Dawn that he could not say anything as to who kidnapped the low-ranking officials.

The spokesman, however, said that elements opposed to peace talks between the Taliban and the government might be behind the kidnapping.

In their 12-point charter of demands submitted to the government by the Taliban two days ago, they had assured that officials working in Darra Adamkhel would be provided protection against such attacks.

Earlier, the local administration had directed officials not to wear uniform or perform their duty following threats by the Taliban two months ago.