2 rebels dead in Kunduz offensive; 2 port employees released

KUNDUZ (Pajhwok): Two insurgents have been killed in a clearing operation by security forces in Khanabad district of northern Jawzjan province, officials said, adding that two kidnapped Sher Khan Port employees had also been released from Taliban’s captivity.

The employees spent almost one month in militants’ custody in northern Kunduz province, officials said Sunday.

Kunduz Governor Mohammad Omar Safi told journalists police had also detained a key Taliban commander Mullah Mujahid, as a result of the coordinated operations launched in Khanabad district on Saturday night.

As many as 16 employees of the port were abducted by insurgents a month ago and two groups of them had been released with the help of elders.

Referring to illegal armed groups in the province, Safi said strict action would be taken to disarm them but did not give any plan or timeframe how they would be disarm.

According to local officials, there were 3,000 illegal armed men in Khanabad. Safi said that six children kidnapped by Taliban were also rescued by security forces.

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