DERA ISMAIL KHAN- The Pakistani Taliban have kidnapped a Chinese tourist on a cycling tour of the country, police and Taliban sources said today, the latest in a series of abductions aimed at raising money for rival Taliban factions.

The man was kidnapped yesterday in Daraban, near the western city of Dera Ismail Khan.

"We kidnapped the Chinese tourist. He is now in our hands," a senior Taliban commander said. "We will demand the release of our fighters who are in government custody."