Taliban offer to free hostages in exchange for 8 prisoners

KABUL have offered to release a female lawmaker, the son of another female legislator and a former attorney of southern Zabul province in exchange for their eight detained comrades.

The Taliban seized the attorney, Mohammad Ismail, two days ahead of Eidul Fitr, celebrated in Afghanistan member, Fariba Kakar, a day later on the Kabul-Kandahar highway in southern Ghazni province.

A Taliban commander in Ghazni, Maulvi Habibullah, told Pajhwok Afghan News over the telephone that the hostages would be released in return for the release of their detained men.

He said families of the hostages had assured them assistance in meeting their demand.

Ghazni officials on Wednesday said Fariba’s three children had been rescued during an operation, but Fariba had been shifted to another location and efforts were underway to secure her release.

The Meshrano Jirga member, Bakht Bibi, said she had entered talks with tribal elders to negotiate the release of her son.

She said the Taliban had offered her son’s release in exchange for the release of their two detainees.

However, she said it was beyond her authority to release detainees, but would continue efforts get her son released.

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