SAR-I-PUL (SW): As many as 17 abducted passengers have been liberated from the Taliban’s captivity in northern Sari-Pul province, an official confirmed on Friday.
A day earlier, officials said that the Taliban militants abducted 20 passengers from a bus in the Sancharak district. Ali Akbar Andarabi, spokesman for the provincial police department told Salam Watandar that the bus, which was carrying these passengers was travelling from the Balkhab district to the provincial capital when the militants stopped and pulled the passengers in Sancharak district.
On Friday, he stressed that the efforts to liberate the abducted passengers succeeded in liberating 17 passengers. He added that the local elders played role in safe release of the abducted passengers. The spokesman stressed that no bounty or otherwise favor has been exchanged with the rebels for the release of these civilians.
This abduction took place only days after the Taliban stopped four busses in Kunduz and abducted tens of passengers, 14 out of which were shot dead, many released but 10 still remain under the Taliban captivity.
ENDS
