LASHKARGAH (SW): Local official in southern Helmand province have confirmed that 23 out of 27 abducted passengers have been freed by the Taliban.
These passengers were abducted from the Kandahar-Herat higway in Helmand’s Grishk district a day earlier. Speaking to Salam Watandar, Muhammad Ismael Khpalwak, the police chief in Gerishk said that these passengers were released as a result of efforts made by the local government.
He stated the passengers, who have been freed, were the deported migrants coming from Iran.
Four abducted passengers remain in the rebels’ captivity and there is no exact information available on their whereabouts. The police chief in Gerishk district said the religious leaders and local elders are trying to ensure safe release of the remaining 4 passengers as well.
The Taliban have not commented on the release. A day earlier, they claimed responsibility for the kidnapping asserting that the abducted men belonged to the security forces. This is not the first incident of the sort.
Last month, the Taliban committed similar abduction in northern Kunduz province where a number of passengers were taken away and many more were killed on the spot.
ENDS
