PUL-I-KHUMRI (PAN): In a rare operation, residents rescued five kidnapped engineers, including an Indian citizen, from their captors in northern Baghlan province, police said on Wednesday.
Unknown gunmen had kidnapped two engineers of the Energy and Water Ministry, including the Indian, in central Bamyan and another three of the Ministry of Mines in Baghlan two weeks ago.
All the five engineers had held in the Tala Wo Barfak district situated in the southwestern part of Baghlan. They were freed on Tuesday when residents attacked the compound where the engineers were held.
District police chief, Lt. Karimdad, told Pajhwok Afghan News the residents did not ask for police help in their action to rescue the engineers.
An influential area resident, Mohammad Aziz who took part in the mission, said they rescued two engineers first and then freed the remaining three after positively identifying the place.
He added the engineers were held captive in underground rooms and the kidnappers were not present at the time of the public raid.
Baghlan Governor Sultan Mohammad Ibadi said government officials had always been advised to inform security organs about their visits to insecure areas. He said the engineers had ignored the instructions.
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