8 ALP personnel disappear in Zabul

KABUL (Pajhwok): Eight Afghan Local Police (ALP) members have gone missing along with their weapons in the Nawbahar district of southern Zabul province, an official said on Wednesday.

Deputy Governor Mohammad Jan Rassoulyar told Pajhwok Afghan News the eight policemen disappeared 24 hours ago. Initial investigations show they were with the militants.

Whether they had joined the Taliban or were taken hostage remained unclear, the deputy governor said, hoping that a clear picture would emerge soon.

But Taliban spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi claimed the ALP members were captured in Jalazai area of Nawbahar.

A security official in Faryab, who did not wish to be named, said the ALP personnel had a dispute and wanted to travel to Qalat, the provincial capital. They were ambushed on the way to Qalat.

The source said all detainees were killed after a clash with militants and their corpses had not handed over to their families so far.

mds