Taliban-linked militants abduct 52 Afghan farmers

By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL, Afghanistan (AA) - A group of Taliban-linked militants have abducted at least 52 farmers in Afghanistan’s northern Jowzjan province, an official confirmed Wednesday.

Mohammad Reza Ghafuri, spokesman for the provincial governor, told Anadolu Agency that the farmers had been kidnapped from the restive Darzab district on the order of Taliban commander Mawlawi Mohammadullah also known as Mansour.

He added the farmers were rounded up from the Chaar Say, Chaar Band and Chel Tapey areas, and taken to York Haji Fatahullah Khan Alizai area.

The Taliban have not commented on the abduction so far.

Jowzjan has been the site of a string of massacres and kidnappings of late. Last week, militants allegedly associated with Daesh killed six members of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), and took away two others.