Taliban offer prisoner swap

ASADABAD (PAN.

Maulvi Shafiullah, a member of council and resident of neighbouring Nuristan province, was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in Asmar district of Kunar on Friday.  

Although Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has not said anything regarding the incident, a rebel commander in Asmar district claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.   

“We have captured Maulvi Shafiullah and his friends. He will remain in us custody till our colleagues are released,” the commander told Pajhwok Afghan News over telephone.

Maulvi Shafiullah had been to Kunar to meet local officials, said Maulvi Muhammad Hashim Munib, head of the provincial peace council. “He came to our office, too, but did not say anything about the purpose of his visi.”

Maulvi Ahmadullah Mowahid, a member of the Wolesi Jirga from Nuristan, criticised the Kunar administration for failing to trace the the people of Nuristan, kidnapped in Chapa Dara, Manogi and Asmar districts.

“We don’t know why they say they are unaware of Nuristan’s residents. Shafiullah was kidnapped in Asmar district and according to our information, he was in contact with people from Asmar to Kamdesh districts,” Mowahid added.

Brig. Gen. Hewaz Muhammad Naziri, the Kunar provincial police chief, said they had no information about the visit of Maulvi Shafiullah.

mas/mud

Visits: 7