Taliban free deminers after 5-day captivity

KANDAHAR CITY (PAN): Nine deminers, who were kidnapped by militants in the Maiwand district of southern Kandahar province last week, were released on Tuesday.

A provincial official said that the Taliban had freed the men after five days of captivity as a result of hectic efforts by local tribal elders and other influential figures. 

Javed Faisal, the governor’s spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News the men worked for a non-governmental organisation called Assistance to Mine-Affected Communities (AMAC).

He said the AMAC workers had been seized while conducting a mine-clearing operation in the Karez area of the district without informing local security officials.

Faisal explained the Taliban, who are yet to comment on the issue, had not returned the three walkie-talkies, two vehicles and 22 mine-clearing tools seized from the individuals.

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