3-member kidnap gang busted in Kabul

KABUL (Pajhwok): Intelligence operatives have detained a three-member kidnap gang in the Istalif district of capital Kabul, the spy service said Sunday.

In a statement, the National Directorate of Security (NDS) said its special forces detained the three suspects named Farhad, Sayed Hassan and Khalil.

The statement accused the detainees of their involvement in kidnapping, extortion and threatening people.

Two Kalashnikovs, one Makarov, one pistol, 12 hand grenades and four RPG7 rocket launchers were also seized from the suspects, the statement said.

The statement said the group had been behind three murders and the kidnapping of Musamat Zarmina, an UNAMA employee in Kabul. About 14 families had demanded punishment of the group, the statement concluded.

sa/ma