ANDSF Continues Clearance Operations in 3 Balkh Districts
The Afghan National Security and Defense Forces (ANDSF) are continuing clearance operations in Balkh, Chaharbolak and Shokgara districts in Balkh province, which are intended to push back the Taliban.
The Balkh police department meanwhile said that at least 12 villages were cleared of the Taliban in the operation.
Adel Shah Adel, a spokesman for Balkh police, said the Taliban sustained heavy casualties in the operations.
He said one security force member was killed and one more was wounded.
“Over 18 members of the opponents (Taliban) were killed and wounded and 42 others associated with the group were arrested,” said Adel Shah Adel, a spokesman for the Balkh police.
Case of Kidnapped Balkh Child Very Complex Says Governor
The family of Abdul Rauf, a nine-year-old child who was abducted in the northern province of Balkh more than five months ago, on Tuesday said that the case of their child has now become more complex, and they accused the Afghan government of not providing updates on the progress on his recovery.
Abdul Rauf’s father Mohammad Nabi on Tuesday showed TOLOnews photos of two alleged kidnappers who were captured and questioned by the Taliban because of their suspected connection to the kidnapping. The suspects are named Sayed Karim and Shah Wali.
Three People Rescued from Clutch of Kidnappers in Balkh
2020-12-29 محمد فرهاد عظیمی، والی بلخ
Mazar-e-Sharif (BNA) Governor of Balkh announced the release of three people from clutch of kidnappers in that province.
Mohammad Farhad Azimi, governor of Balkh, announced today at a press conference the release of three kidnapped people in that province and said that the last kidnapped person was released from the kidnappers last night in Dehdadi district of that province.
He added that efforts are underway to free 9-year-old boy Abdul Rauf, which a number of suspects have arrested in connection with the incident.
Another report says, a boy was wounded and a Corolla car was damaged in a landmine explosion in the fourth district of Mazar-e-Sharif last night.
Kidnappers Post New Video of Child, Increase Ransom
Kidnappers have posted a new video of the 9-year-old child in Balkh, asking for a $1.7 million ransom for his release, the boy s family said. He has been in their custody for the last two months.
Abdul Rauf, the 9-year-old kidnapped child, looks naked in the new video released by the kidnappers.
“I am in cold weather. I am suffering. I cannot walk. My hands and feet are tightened. Save me,” says the child.
“Whenever his video is released, we see him, and the suffering and pain is not tolerable for us. Others cannot feel this pain,” Rauf’s father Mohammad Nabi said.
(Last Updated On: December 28, 2020)
National Security Directorate (NDS) and the Attorney General’s Office confirmed Monday that three senior senators, from the Meshrano Jirga (Upper House of Parliament), were arrested in Balkh province and have been charged with accepting bribes.
In a joint statement issued by the NDS and AGO, the security organizations said the senators have been accused of accepting $40,000 in bribes and have been transferred to Kabul.
Addressing a press conference earlier Monday in Mazar-e-Sharif, Balkh Governor Mohammad Farhad Azimi said the three senators had been sent to the province to inspect revenue offices but that based on intelligence gathered the delegation had been arrested.