SHIBERGHAN (Pajhwok): Four Daesh detainees were on Tuesday released in exchange for as many captive Afghan Local Police men in northern Jawzjan province, officials said on Tuesday.
Baz Mohammad, acting administrative chief for Darzab district, told Pajhwok Afghan News the four ALP members, who had been captured by Daesh fighters during a clash, were exchanged for four IS fighters following agreements of local officials.
“These individuals were exchanged in Nawabad village of Jarqadoq locality of Qosh Tapa district today morning,” he said.
He said the released ALP members were handed over to security forces by local elders and Daesh militants were also handed over to the rebel group by the same elders.
Police chief Rahmatullah Turkistani rejected Baz Mohammad’s claims and said the ALP members were released from Daesh with mediation of local elders. He denied releasing any Daesh rebel.
“We were following this issue for several days, we told local elders to mediate and release the four ALP members from Daesh, our efforts yielded positive results and the IS released our four local policemen,” he said.
Residents of Shiberghan, the capital of Jawzjan, criticized the prisoner swap and said the issue might raise serious problems for local people in future.
Rakia, a resident, said: “It is natural Daesh may capture people everywhere and demand the release of their fighters.”
Daesh militants appeared in parts of Darzab and Qosh Tapa districts about two years ago. They usually engage in fighting with Taliban and Afghan security forces.
mds/ma
