Afghanistan Times
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AT-KABUL: The Taliban insurgents on Tuesday night release eight more kidnapped passengers, while the group still has 10 others in captivity, a provincial official said.
“The overnight release has made possible due to tribal elders’ mediation,” acting provincial police chief, Col. Masumi Hashimi told Pajhwok Afghan News. He pledge to set free remaining abductees from Taliban cell soon.
This comes after the Talban fighters killed at least 12 people, after kidnapping more than 220 passengers from several busses on the Kabul-Kunduz highway in northern Afghanistan.
Tens of Talban fighters with light and heavy weapons early in the morning on Tuesday established temporary check points in various parts along the highway in Ali Abad district of Kunduz and then intercepted several passenger busses and cars.
They took all the passengers with them to Chardara district, Hijarat Akbari, Kunduz Police Press Office Officer told Afghanistan.
They insurgents shot death at least six passengers shortly after taking them hostage near the highway and then killed at least six or seven more in Chardara district, he added.
Soon after the incident, the Afghan police launched rescue operation, in which more than 150 passengers were rescued and over 30 remained in captivity of the Taliban.
Another local official who wished to remain anonymous told Afghanistan Times that all passengers were civilians and residents of Kunduz, Takhar and Badakhsha provinces.
