Pakistan Taliban kills three Christian aid workers

In Pakistan authorities have recovered the bodies of three Christian relief workers kidnapped and killed by members of the Pakistani Taliban. The American Christian aid workers were helping victims of the flood-ravaged country.

The killings occurred in Pakistan's volatile north-western Swat valley. Pakistan's military recovered the bodies of the relief workers in Swat valley Wednesday, August 25, shortly after they were kidnapped. The three foreign aid workers had been kidnapped by the Pakistani Taliban Monday, August 23.

Military officials as well as the international humanitarian organization that employed the workers withheld the names of the victims and asked that the agency remain unnamed for security reasons. News of the killings had been withheld from electronic and print media to avoid panicking other relief workers and agencies, as well as for security purposes.

The Taliban has been threatening to attack international relief workers, calling the presence of foreigners in Pakistan "unacceptable."

AP reports:

Taliban hinted they may launch attacks against foreigners helping Pakistan respond to the worst floods in the country's history, saying their presence was "unacceptable." The U.N. said it would not be deterred by violent threats. The militant group has attacked aid workers in the country before, and an outbreak of violence could complicate a relief effort that has already struggled to reach the 8 million people who are in need of emergency

Pakistan has been hit by its worst flooding in decades, with the United Nations now estimating more than 21.8 million people have been affected. Foreign aid workers are involved in relief activities across the country. At least 8 million people require emergency relief, with hundreds of thousands reportedly isolated from aid supplies.