THREATS

Taliban: Release bin Laden Wives

From Pakistani custody.

The Taliban on Friday pledged to attack the Pakistani government, police, and military officials if three of Osama bin Laden’s widows are not released from custody. Pakistan’s government on Thursday charged the three women with illegally entering and staying in the country, and a spokesman for the Taliban said there would be “suicide bombings” if the women were not released “as soon as possible.” Pakistan has interviewed the women to find how bin Laden managed to stay in the county undetected. The Tehrik-e-Taliban, the wing of the Taliban that vowed revenge, has carried out high-profile attacks against Pakistan since bin Laden’s death, including bombing an American consulate and taking siege of an American naval base.