Daily Times

KHYBER AGENCY: After 155 days in custody, 17 abductees were released by unidentifiedinsurgents in Afghanistan.

The released captives arrived at their village on Saturday.

It is pertinent to mention that on September 4,2017,unidentified armed persons kidnapped 17 tribesmen,comprising seven families of Abdukhad Village, who had been stationed in Anzar Naw,the remote and bordering area to repair gravity water supply scheme.

Landi Kotal Assistant Political Agent Niaz Muhammad informed thaton Friday, the kidnapped persons were received by the Afghan Security Force at Zaman Sapary border entrance, from where they were taken to the forces cantonment and on Saturday, they were handed over to their heirs at a ceremony initiated in the cantonment,which was attended by the administration and forces officials besides tribal elders.

Sharing his unpleasant experience, an 8th grade student Ayazullah, who was also one of the kidnapped persons, said that the early days of his abduction were tough as the kidnappers had put them in a dark room, somewhere in Afghanistan and sometime subjected them to physical torture.However, they gradually began changing their behavior towards them.

“I am delighted to be set free but I am depressed as I have missed so much of my education,” he said.

Ayazullah’s father Abdul Malik expressed his delight over his son’s safe release and said that without the support of the Khyber Political Alliance, political administration, journalist community and membersof the parliament,the release would not have been possible.

On a query, he added that not a single penny had given as ransom although the insurgents were repeatedly demanding it. The effected families thanked and appreciated the cooperation of all segments of the society.

Published in Daily Times, February 11^th 2018.