Delegation reaches Uruzgan to negotiate hostage release

TIRINKOT (Pajhwok): A delegation has arrived in Kajran district to negotiate with Taliban militants the release of 20 kidnapped truck drivers and their helpers, an official said on Friday.

Drivers of the food-laden trucks were seized on their way from Kandahar City to Kajran three days ago. They have reportedly been taken to the Charchino district of Uruzgan.

Dost Mohammad Nayab, spokesperson for the acting governor, said that a 10-member team of local elders and influential figures, had been sent to Kajran for talks with the militants on freeing the hostages.

He claimed the captors were ready to negotiate on the fate of the truckers and cleaners. He also confirmed the delegation was in contact with the captives. Baloch and Hazara community members are among the captives.

But Qari Yousaf Ahmadi, the Taliban spokesman, denied the captives were in their custody. He said the men had gone missing displaced during fighting in the area.

More than 20 people, kidnapped on same highway some weeks back, have already been released. A month back, 30 passengers were abducted on the Kabul-Kandahar highway in the Shahjoi district of Zabul.

dai/mud

Views: 0