Taliban threaten, hold hostage Ghazni voters

GHAZNI CITY (Pajhwok): Some residents of southern Ghazni province on Thursday claimed the Taliban had started hurling death threats at them after they participated in the elections on April 5.

A resident of the Deh Yak district, Mohammadullah, told Pajhwok Afghan News he was hit black and blue by the rebels because he had cast his vote.

“After the elections, the Taliban came to our village. They hit me and several other residents.”

Khan Mohammad from the same area said he survived near-death beating after he was taken hostage by the Taliban four days because being bailed out.

“The Taliban came to our house after the elections and took me away with them,” he said, claiming he was among several others the insurgents had taken hostage.

Rahmatullah, who lives in Zarai Kala area of the Andar district, said his brother had received death threats from the Taliban.

He said the government had promised to protect voters and now it should come forward and rescue people from the armed militants.

The Taliban have reportedly harassed residents in Geru, Zan Khan and Arjistan district of Ghazni for participating in the yet to be decided elections.

Pajhwok made attempts at seeking comments from local officials, but in vain.

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