Taliban free 11 kidnapped passengers in swap

BAMYAN (Pajhwok): The Taliban freed nearly a dozen passengers in return for the release of six people, held captive by an uprising group, as part of a prisoner swap deal in Jalrez district of central Maidan Wardak province, sources said on Thursday.

Unidentified gunmen had kidnapped the 11 passengers from Zaiwalat locality of Jalrez district a month back. In retaliation, some members of the uprising group blocked the Jalrez road.

After the passage of 20 days, the uprising group launched an armed assault on Zaiwalat area and arrested six people having connections with the kidnappers. The group demanded release of the 11 persons in exchange for the release of the six.

Jalrez district police chief Mohammad Jamal Sajad told Pajhwok News following the incidents, elders from Jalrez contacted the elders in Behsud-1 and Behsud-2 districts to resolve the issue and their negotiations went successful.

Sajjad said under the deal, the 11 abducted people from Zaiwalat were released two days before the six captivates people were delivered to government officials yesterday evening by the uprising group. The Jalrez road was also re-opened after the exchange.

The police official said Taliban were involved in incidents of kidnappings and insecurity. He said Taliban militants could not face security forces and hence opted to kidnappings and creating tribal differences.

“Thankfully, this problem has been solved with mediation of elders and mediators from Jalrez, Behsud and Daimirdad districts and the abducted people have reunited with their families”, he added.

The elders and mediators from Jalrez, Daimirdad and Behsud districts participated in a ceremony held for the re-opening of Jalrez road and freedom of the captives in Dasht-e-Yord area.

The uprising group leader, Commander Alipoor, told Pajhwok News they held captivity the six persons in order to force the Taliban into releasing the 11 people.

“We identified people related to Taliban after the 20 days, and captivated the six people so that the 11 kidnapped people from Zaiwalat are freed. We have no dispute with the people of Zaiwalat but we will never stay calm if our passengers are beheaded and kidnapped.”

smea/ma

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