Afghanistan: Three Indian Engineers Kidnapped In 2018 Released By Taliban In Exchange Of 11 Terrorists

The Afghan Taliban, which is in the midst of intense negotiations with the Unites States, have confirmed that it has released at least three Indian hostages in exchange for the release of at least 11 Taliban members including its important leaders, reports India Today.

Taliban and US Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad have recently met in Islamabad, after which a prisoner swap agreement was compiled with the release of three Indian engineers in the custody of Taliban since 2018.

Ambassador Khalilzad had asked the Taliban to release at least five foreign prisoners including three Indian engineers, one American and one Australian national in exchange for release of the Taliban leaders and members.

The eleven Taliban prisoners who have been released includes prominent leaders Sheikh Abdul Rahim and Maulvi Abdur Rashid. Both these Taliban leaders have served as governors of Kunar and Nimroz provinces during the Taliban administration before the US-led intervention in 2001.

The release of Indian prisoners is being confirmed by the Afghan Taliban but yet o be verified by the Afghan government and the Indian government has also not been notified of the release of Indian engineers.

In May 2018, seven Indian engineers working for a power plant in Afghanistan’s northern Baghlan province were kidnapped. Later, the Taliban reportedly released one of the hostage in March this year.