ISLAMABAD - The Pakistani Taliban released a video Saturday of the shooting of a former officer of the country's intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), who was kidnapped from the northern tribal region.

BHUBANESWAR/HYDERABAD - The Orissa district officer and junior engineer kidnapped by Maoists Wednesday are safe and in good health while formal negotiations with the rebels for their release are likely to begin Sunday after the mediators arrive, officials said Saturday.

KABUL - Eighteen people were killed and 70 wounded Saturday after bombers targeted a bank in eastern Afghanistan, a government spokesman said.

HYDERABAD - Human rights activist and academic Hargopal will leave for Bhubaneswar Sunday to begin mediation for the release of Malkangiri District Collector R. Vineel Krishna.

BHUBANESWAR - Two Orissa officials kidnapped two days ago by Maoists are safe and in good health in rebel custody as the state intensified its efforts to free the district collector and the junior engineer, a senior state official said Saturday.