Afghan forces free 149 hostages taken by Taliban in Kunduz province

Afghan forces launched a lightning operation in northern Kunduz province yesterday, rescuing 149 people, including women and children, abducted by the Taliban just hours earlier. Officials said fighting was still underway in the area to free 21 remaining hostages. Officials added that the operation was a boost for Afghan forces, which have struggled to contain a resurgent Taliban on battlefields across the country. 

According to Nasrat Rahimi, Deputy spokesman for the Interior Ministry, the Taliban ambushed a



convoy of three buses travelling on a road in the Khan Abad district and forced everyone to come with them. Rahimi said that after Afghan security forces freed 149, the insurgents were still holding 21 hostages from the buses. He added, at least seven Taliban fighters have been killed in the fighting so far.

The ambush came despite Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's announcement of a conditional ceasefire with the Taliban during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha this week.