2 senior Khost officials held for alleged links with rebels

KHOST CITY (PAN): Joint Afghan-international security forces have arrested two senior government officials along with some of their relatives on charges of links with insurgents in southeastern Khost province, officials said on Sunday.   

Gul Rahim Shah, the provincial transport department director, was detained along with his brother and son in Pankzay area on the outskirts of Khost city on Saturday night, the Rural Rehabilitation and Development Department spokesman told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Amarullah Hilal said the detainees had no connection with militants and that efforts were being made to secure their release.

The joint forces had also arrested deputy head of the central jail, Hazrat Shah, an official at the police headquarters said on condition of anonymity. He said Shah had no connection with the Taliban.

The justice department head, Qanun Gul, confirmed Hazrat Shah worked as deputy head of the provincial prison, but said he had no information about his arrest.

Police chief Brig. Gen. Sardar Muhammad Zazai also confirmed the operations, saying he had no details, as police did not participate in the operations.

The International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF commander in the Pankzay area on Saturday night.

The force said the commander was arrested along with several suspects and some weapons recovered from them.    

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