Freed from Taliban, 3 civilians killed in Baghlan blast

PUL-I-KHUMRI (Pajhwok): Three persons were killed in a landmine blast soon after Taliban militants released them from captivity in northern Baghlan province, a public representative said Monday.

The slain individuals hailed from MaidanWardak province and were raveling to Balkh province when Taliban gunmen abducted them in Cheshma Sher district of Baghlan.

Sharifullah Hotak, a member of the provincial council, told Pajhwok Afghan News that the vehicle the three individuals were traveling in struck a roadside bomb after they were released by Taliban following mediation by elders.

He identified the victims as Ajmal, Allah Mohammad and Pashtun. Hotak said the dead included a nephew of Mohammad Musa Hotak, a presidential advisor.

Hotak, an elder of the area, claimed the Taliban abducted the three individuals over cooperation with the government. He said they received their bodies on Sunday.

Provincial authorities and Taliban are yet to comment about the incident.

sa/ma