Abducted Afghan diplomat reaches home safely

The kidnapped official of the Afghan Consulate, Quetta, reached his home on Saturday.

Afghan Consul General Quetta Ghullam Muhammad Bahadur told reporters that Muhammad Hashim Ibrat, the kidnapped official of the consulate, reached home. “Ibrat is safe and sound,” Bahadur said.

Armed militants had abducted the diplomat on July 28 from Satellite Town area of the Balochistan capital when he was on his way to office. Ibrat remained in the captivity for more than a month.

However, an official of the consulate, who requested anonymity, said some important Taliban leaders were set free as a result of Ibrat’s release. “Taliban leaders were set free from Kandahar,” he claimed.

The Afghan government was in close contact with Pakistan for an unharmed recovery of the diplomat. The Islamabad-based Afghan ambassador was in regular contact with the Pakistani officials to ensure the recovery of Afghan official.

No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction.

Incidents of kidnapping have increased in the troubled Balochistan in general and Quetta city in particular.

While quoting a senior officer as having said, Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch revealed that 78 gangs involved in kidnapping and other subversive activities were operating in Quetta, plagued with sectarian violence and attacks by the Baloch insurgents.