Audio By Carbonatix
Afghan security forces freed 43 civilians and military personnel from a Taliban prison in southern Zabul province during a secret operation, the country’s Ministry of Defence said on Saturday.
Twenty of the prisoners were taken to the provincial capital, and the rest returned to their military units, according to a ministry statement.
The operation was confirmed by a spokesman for the provincial authorities.
The Taliban, which has been particularly powerful in the province and controls large parts of it, has not yet reacted to the news.
The operation comes against the backdrop of talks between the government and the Taliban, which included as a precondition a large prisoner swap.
The Afghan government released some 5,000 Taliban prisoners, and the militants released 1,000 captured servicemen to clear the way for the intra-Afghan talks.
However, after nearly a month from the beginning of the talks, no progress was made in the process and the negotiating teams have not yet succeeded in finalizing a joint agenda for their discussions.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana has technical capacity, but capital remains key constraint in mining sector – Dr Boateng
26 seconds -
Don’t accept financial terms blindly – Amma Gyampo advises consumers
4 minutes -
Senegal president appoints economist as prime minister after political rift
9 minutes -
Ghanaian participation in extractive sector must increase – Expert
46 minutes -
Government must make industrialisation a condition in mining contracts — Ayi-Owoo
50 minutes -
Inside Audit Report: Check the alleged inflated contracts in 2023 African Games
51 minutes -
J.Derobie reunites with Gold Up Music on new dancehall release ‘Start Over’
53 minutes -
Mawuli School PTA donates desks, water tanks to improve academic environment
1 hour -
Hybrid funding approach key to strengthening local mining participation — Mineral economist
1 hour -
Rotary Club donates classroom furniture to PRESEC Legon, partners with OSP to inspire students on integrity
1 hour -
Ghana should focus on maximising mining revenues, not nationalisation – UMaT lecturer
1 hour -
Pushing for 100% state ownership of mining is risky – Dr. Sarkodie warns
1 hour -
‘Super El Niño’ threat puts Africa at critical climate crossroads – Report
1 hour -
Pilot distraction from phone calls contributed to Tema aircraft crash that killed 2 brothers – Report
1 hour -
EXIM Bank must align its financing model with Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy agenda
1 hour