100 kidnapped persons rescued, 216 kidnappers held last year

KABUL (Pajhwok): Police registered 120 cases of kidnapping across the country last year and rescued 100 kidnapped individuals as a result of 200 operations, the Ministry of Interior said on Monday.

During the period, 10 kidnappers were killed in police encounters and 216 others arrested, MoI spokesman Abdul Nafi Takor told Pajhwok Afghan News.

He said five persons were killed by their abductors during the period.

“About 13 vehicles, 19 weapons, a walkie talkie, 115 mobile phone sets, some military equipment and ammunition were also seized from the kidnappers.”

He did not provide information about the fate of the arrested kidnappers.

The figures were revealed a day after Pajhwok reported that 13 businessmen were kidnapped during the past three months in Afghanistan  and quoted experts as calling the incidents a conspiracy to trigger capital flight from the country.

hz/sa/ma