KABUL CITY - President Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday expressed his concern over the killing and kidnapping of passengers in northern Kunduz province, blasting the new Taliban leadership for their inhuman act.
During an emergency meeting on the issue, the president said the newly-appointed Taliban leader Mullah Haibatullah in deed had no knowledge of religion. His lack of religious knowledge was disturbingly highlighted by the kidnapping and killing of innocent people, the president argued.
Earlier, the insurgents stopped several vehicles in Arzaq Angor Bagh locality and seized 220 passengers. Some of them were killed yesterday while many others were set free.
Hidayatullah Faqiryar, administrative chief for Aliabad district, had said the insurgents had established a check-point and stopped passenger coaches.
The gunmen seized 40 passengers and released the rest. The bodies of 10people, allegedly killed by the captors, were found in the area on Tuesday. Today, eight more passengers were released but 10 others are still in the group’s captivity.
A statement from the Presidential Palace quoted Ghani as saying that Afghan security forces had been authorised to use all resources at their disposal to protect the people and defend the motherland.
Ghani directed the Ministry of Interior (MoI) and transport officials to work together to improve the security of highways across the country. He asked ulema and civil society to raise their voice against the abduction and killing of innocent people. (Pajhwok)