By Shadi Khan Saif
KABUL, Afghanistan (AA) – The Taliban militants in Afghanistan's northern Kunduz province have abducted dozens of passengers, officials and local media said on Monday.
Safiullah Mahzon, director of security at the provincial police headquarters in Kunduz, told Anadolu Agency that passengers from three buses have been taken away by the Taliban in the Khan Abad district of the province.
The abduction came after Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani announced a conditional three-month ceasefire across the country effective from Monday.
Mahzon said efforts are underway to ensure release of the passengers, who were on their way to the capital Kabul from Takhar province.
According to the local Tolo News, a total of 170 passengers were taken away to the Jangal Bashi area of Khan Abad district by the Taliban last night.
It added some of the captives have been released, while others deemed as security personnel are kept captive.
