RASC News Agency: Reports from Ghazni province reveal that the Taliban recently detained a relative of two former military personnel, effectively taking him hostage. On Wednesday, April 24, sources informed the media that the Taliban arrested a man named Mardan the previous day. He was taken from the village of Jangal Sukhta in the Nawur district.
Sources claim Mardan was detained because his two nephews served in the former government’s police force and now live abroad. The Taliban reportedly demanded three weapons or their monetary equivalent in exchange for Mardan’s release. However, sources state Mardan is a farmer and cannot afford to meet these demands.
The 8 AM newspaper reports that over the past two years, the Taliban have consistently harassed and extorted the families of former military personnel in the Nawur district villages of Khot, Nau Qala Yakhshi, Sar Bokan, and Jangal Sukhta. In addition, local sources in Panjshir have noted similar tactics by the Taliban, who have detained the relatives of current and former National Resistance Front of Afghanistan members, demanding money or weapons for their release.