KUNDUZ – ANSF managed to free 149 people, including women and children, who were taken hostage by the Taliban just hours earlier in the province of Kunduz.
Nasrat Rahimi, deputy spokesman for the Interior Ministry, says the insurgents still hold 21 others hostages following their ambush of a convoy of buses traveling in the Khan Abad district on Monday.
This comes as President Ghani, on Sunday announced a three-month conditional ceasefire with Taliban starting on Monday.
“As we approach Eid-ul-Adha, we announce a ceasefire that would take effect from Monday, the day of Arafa, till the day of the birth of the prophet (PBUH), Milad-un-Nabi, provided that the Taliban reciprocate,” Ghani told a gathering celebrating the Independence Day.
Abdul Rahman Aqtash, police chief in neighboring Takhar province, says the passengers were from Badakhshan and Takhar provinces and were traveling to the capital, Kabul.
Mohammad Yusouf Ayubi, the head of the provincial council in Kunduz province, said the insurgents stopped the buses near Khan Abad district.
Ayubi believes the Taliban were looking for government employees or members of the security forces.
“So far, there is no news on the fate of the passengers, but tribal elders and local officials are trying to negotiate with the Taliban,” Ayubi added.
Taliban have not commented regarding this incident so far.
