Off the wire
• Urgent: UN chief hails new Security Council resolution on Syria  • Urgent: Afghan special forces free 35 from Taliban custody: official  • Roundup: Cessation goes into effect in Syria, bringing apparent calm  • South-East Asian foreign ministers discuss regional issues, integration in Laos  • Top DPRK leader guides test fire of newly developed anti-tank rocket  • Chinese face growing cancer risk from dioxin: research  • Xinhua Insight: 3D printing reshaping "Made in China"  • Chilean ambassador praises trade links with China  • Nepal forms probe commission to investigate into Air Kasthamandap plane accident  • Chinese envoy calls for strict implementation of cessation of hostilities in Syria  
You are here: 　 Home

1st LD Writethru: Afghan Special Forces free 35 from Taliban custody

Xinhua, February 27, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Afghan special operation forces set free 35 civilians from a Taliban militants' prison overnight, the country's Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

"Those released included five women, five men and 25 children. They were rescued following a special operation from a Taliban prison in Nad Ali district, Helmand province last night," the ministry said in a statement.

"Up to seven armed militants were also detained following the raid," the statement reads.

Helmand, notorious for poppy growing, is also a known Taliban stronghold.

Some 120 people, including soldiers and military officers, had been released in Helmand in similar operations over the past two months.

Since Jan. 1 last year, Afghan security forces have assumed the full security charges from NATO and U.S. forces after the foreign troops switched from combat to support role, which focuses on training, advising and assisting Afghan forces.

In addition, four Taliban were killed and two others detained after the Afghan Special Operation Force conducted a night raid operation against a Taliban hideout in northern Kunduz province, the statement noted. Enditem