DERA ISMAIL KHAN (Agencies) Intelligence officials and tribal elders have said the Pakistani Taliban have kidnapped 23 tribesmen who recently met the army chief. Taliban spokesman Azam Tariq said the abductions are a warning to civilians that the group is still strong in South Waziristan, despite an ongoing military offensive. The abductees were part of a group that welcomed Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani to South Waziristan Dec 7. Intelligence officials said the militants lured the victims to a town bordering North Waziristan and then kidnapped them. The abductions could undermine Pakistans efforts to convince displaced South Waziristan residents that its safe to go home. The intelligence officials requested anonymity in line with their agencys policy.