Officials: Militants Kidnap 100 Afghans From Buses

The Taliban has taken more than 100 people hostage in their hunt for government employees or members of the security forces, according to Mohammad Yusouf Ayubi, head of the provincial council in Kunduz.

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“So far, there is no news on the fate of the passengers, but tribal elders and local officials are trying to negotiate with the Taliban,” Ayubi said. The council head said the attackers stopped three buses on a road near Khan Abad district and forcibly took the passengers.

Takhar province police chief, Abdul Rahman Aqtash, said the passengers were headed to Kabul from Badakhshan and Takhar provinces.

The ambush took place despite Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's declaration of a conditional ceasefire, with the Taliban, for the Eid holiday. The head of state said, “the ceasefire should be observed from both sides, and its continuation and duration also depend on the Taliban’s stand.”

Ghani made the announcement during celebrations of the 99th anniversary of Afghanistan’s independence.

The fate of the hostages is not immediately known and there has been no statement from the insurgents.

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of militants seizing Afghan districts as well as carrying out bombings and other attacks.

Earlier this month, the Taliban launched a major assault on the eastern city of Ghazni, just 120 kilometers from Kabul.

Afghan security forces battled the militants inside the city for five days. The fight resulted in the deaths of at least 100 members of the Afghan security forces and 35 civilians, according to Afghan officials.