Kidnapped Afghan consulate official released in Pakistan
Saturday, August 31st, 2013 10:45:57 by Tahir Khan
An Afghan consulate official, who was abducted by unidentified gunmen in Quetta in July, has been freed, Afghan officials said Saturday.
Hashim Popsal Ebrat, a staffer of the Afghan consulate, had been kidnapped from Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province.
Afghan embassy spokesman, Zardasht Shams, confirmed that Ebrat has rejoined his family.
He avoided more comments when asked as to who were behind the kidnapping and on what conditions he was released.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.
Ebrat’s family sources and Afghan officials had earlier claimed that the captors had demanded release of three Taliban leaders in Kandahar jail.
The Afghan Taliban had denied any involvement.
The Afghan consulate officials in Quetta also confirmed that Ebrat has been released and gas returned to his family.
In late July Ebrat’s son Siddiqullah had told police in Quetta that his father had gone missing while he was heading to Consulate.
Pakistani police have not offered any comment. Kidnappings have increased in Quetta and parts of Balochistan for ransom and to get freed prisoners.
Several foreigners, including chief of UNHCR, John Solecki, had also been kidnapped in Balochistan in the past. .
Abdul Khaliq Farahi, a former Afghan counsel general in Peshawar, was kidnapped by militants in 2008 and was released in November 2010. A militant group known as Kateeba Salahuddin Ayubi had claimed responsibility for his kidnapping from the posh Hyatabad area of Peshawar.
Tags: Afghan kidnapping, John Solecki, UNHCR
Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=41449
Posted by Tahir Khan
on Aug 31 2013. Filed under Latest News, Pakistan.
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