Armed men have kidnapped about 150 students from a boarding school in Nigeria's Kaduna state. This is the tenth mass school kidnapping in the country in the last six months.

Nigeria: 150 students abducted by Gunmen from a boarding school

Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi disclosed the names of his alleged abductors to Antiguan police. Antigua police have commenced an investigation into the alleged abduction of Choksi from Antigua on May 23.

Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi discloses names of abductors to Antigua police

The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda has started investigations into the alleged abduction of absconding diamantaire Mehul Choksi to neighbouring Dominica on a complaint filed by his lawyers, Prime Minister Gaston Browne told a local media outlet.

Browne said that Choksi's lawyers gave the names of people involved in the alleged abduction to the police commissioner in a complaint, the Antigua News Room reported.

The Antigua and Barbuda prime minister also said that if the claims are true, then it is a serious matter. Browne said police are taking the complaint seriously, the report said.

<img alt="Mehul" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3be56e0b-a41d-458b-8a61-d0e98aeb77e8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Mehul%20Choksi%201.jpg" />

"Choksi has filed a complaint with the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda to the extant that he was abducted. He made a formal claim through his attorneys that he was abducted from Antigua and taken to Dominica so it is a report that police is taking seriously and they are currently investigating the abduction," Browne said.

Another report in the Associates Times poked holes in the theory of Dominica opposition leader Lennox Linton, who had reportedly claimed that Choksi was brought to Dominica in the Yacht Calliope of Arne around 10 pm on May 23.

The family of Choksi had claimed that he was in Antigua till 5 pm on May 23, which makes it impossible to cover a 120-mile distance in four to five hours, which approximately takes about 12-13 hours, the publication said.

The report said that according to Customs document, the boat had left Antigua at 10 am on May 23, whereas Choksi's domestic staff had said that he was in his residence till 5 pm, which indicates that Choksi did not travel by the boat which Linton is claiming.

It quoted unnamed doctors of the Dominica China Friendship Hospital, where Choksi is admitted, that a nail injury cited by his lawyers is an old one while other bruises could be new and could have been caused by even by a "slight push".

Choksi had mysteriously gone missing on May 23 from Antigua and Barbuda where he has been staying since 2018 as a citizen. He was detained in the neighbouring island country, Dominica, for illegal entry after a possible romantic escapade with his rumoured girlfriend.

His lawyers alleged that he was kidnapped from Jolly Harbour in Antigua by policemen looking Antiguan and Indian and brought to Dominica on a boat.

Choksi was brought before a Roseau magistrate, on the orders of the Dominica high court, to answer charges of illegal entry where he pleaded not guilty but was denied bail.

He was admitted in the Dominica China Friendship Hospital. The Dominica High Court has adjourned the hearing of the habeas corpus petition filed by his lawyers.

Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi had fled India in the first week of January 2018 weeks before Rs 13,500 crore scam in Punjab National Bank (PNB) rocked the Indian banking industry.

The duo allegedly bribed the officials of the state-run bank to get Letters of Undertaking (LoU) on the basis of which they availed from overseas banks which remained unpaid.

The allegedly corrupt officials did not enter these LoUs in the core banking software of PNB, thus evading any scrutiny. The non-payment of these LoUs or bank guarantees worth Rs 13,500 crore resulted in default and became a liability on bank.

Modi escaped to Europe and was finally held in London where he is contesting his extradition to India while Choksi took citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda in 2017 where he had been staying since his escape from Delhi.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda has started investigations into the alleged abduction of absconding diamantaire Mehul Choksi to neighbouring Dominica on a complaint filed by his lawyers, Prime Minister Gaston Browne told a local media outlet.

The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda has started investigations into the alleged abduction of absconding diamantaire Mehul Choksi to neighbouring Dominica on a complaint filed by his lawyers, Prime Minister Gaston Browne told a local media outlet. Browne said that Choksi's lawyers gave the names of people involved in the alleged abduction to the police commissioner in a complaint, the Antigua News Room reported. The Antigua and Barbuda prime minister also said that if the claims are true, then it is a serious matter. Browne said police are taking the complaint seriously, the report said. "Choksi has filed a complaint with the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda to the extant that he was abducted. He made a formal claim through his attorneys that he was abducted from Antigua and taken to Dominica so it is a report that police is taking seriously and they are currently investigating the abduction," Browne said. Another report in the Associates Times poked holes in the theory of Dominica opposition leader Lennox Linton, who had reportedly claimed that Choksi was brought to Dominica in the Yacht Calliope of Arne around 10 pm on May 23. The family of Choksi had claimed that he was in Antigua till 5 pm on May 23, which makes it impossible to cover a 120-mile distance in four to five hours, which approximately takes about 12-13 hours, the publication said. The report said that according to Customs document, the boat had left Antigua at 10 am on May 23, whereas Choksi's domestic staff had said that he was in his residence till 5 pm, which indicates that Choksi did not travel by the boat which Linton is claiming. It quoted unnamed doctors of the Dominica China Friendship Hospital, where Choksi is admitted, that a nail injury cited by his lawyers is an old one while other bruises could be new and could have been caused by even by a "slight push". Choksi had mysteriously gone missing on May 23 from Antigua and Barbuda where he has been staying since 2018 as a citizen. He was detained in the neighbouring island country, Dominica, for illegal entry after a possible romantic escapade with his rumoured girlfriend. His lawyers alleged that he was kidnapped from Jolly Harbour in Antigua by policemen looking Antiguan and Indian and brought to Dominica on a boat. Choksi was brought before a Roseau magistrate, on the orders of the Dominica high court, to answer charges of illegal entry where he pleaded not guilty but was denied bail. He was admitted in the Dominica China Friendship Hospital. The Dominica High Court has adjourned the hearing of the habeas corpus petition filed by his lawyers. Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi had fled India in the first week of January 2018 weeks before Rs 13,500 crore scam in Punjab National Bank (PNB) rocked the Indian banking industry. The duo allegedly bribed the officials of the state-run bank to get Letters of Undertaking (LoU) on the basis of which they availed from overseas banks which remained unpaid. The allegedly corrupt officials did not enter these LoUs in the core banking software of PNB, thus evading any scrutiny. The non-payment of these LoUs or bank guarantees worth Rs 13,500 crore resulted in default and became a liability on bank. Modi escaped to Europe and was finally held in London where he is contesting his extradition to India while Choksi took citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda in 2017 where he had been staying since his escape from Delhi. (With inputs from agencies)

Antigua police has started investigating Choksi's 'abduction': PM Gaston Browne

Kidnappers have released the remaining 29 students they were holding captive from a college in Nigeria’s Kaduna state. In March, militants had seized 39 students from the College of Forestry Mechanization in Kaduna state. Security forces recovered 10 of them in the weeks following the attack, but the remaining students were still missing until Wednesday.

Nigeria: Kidnappers free 29 college students abducted in Kaduna state

Former Australian Test cricketer Stuart MacGill was kidnapped by an alleged criminal group in an attack on Syndey's north shore and has been held for ransom.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/england-players-face-travel-obstacles-after-ipl-2021-postponement-382793" hreflang="en">England players face travel obstacles after IPL 2021 postponement</a>

As per a report in the Daily Telegraph, the former cricketing great was abducted at gunpoint from Cremorne. According to police, the 50-year-old cricketer was allegedly confronted by a 46-year-old man at 8 pm on April 14.

MacGill was forced into a vehicle by two other men and then drove to Bringelly, which is situated in Sydney’s southwest. The police later alleged that the cricketer was assaulted and threatened with a firearm before being driven to the Belmore area and released around an hour later.

The kidnapping was reported to the police two days later after which detectives from the NSW Robbery and Serious Cime Squad are investigating in the matter. The police have raided a number of homes in relation to kidnapping.&nbsp;

“Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives, with assistance from Raptor Squad and the Public Order and Riot Squad, arrested four men – aged 27, 29, 42 and 46 – from 6am today (Wednesday 5 May 2021),” police said in a statement.

“The men were taken to local police stations where charges are expected to be laid.

“Officers are currently in the process of executing search warrants at homes at Sutherland, Caringbah, Brighton Le-Sands, Banksia and Marrickville.”

However, it is unclear if MacGill was known to the men who kidnapped him.&nbsp;

MacGill featured in 44 Test matches and three ODIs for Australia.&nbsp;

Former Australian Test cricketer Stuart MacGill was kidnapped by an alleged criminal group in an attack on Syndey's north shore and has been held for ransom. ALSO READ: England players face travel obstacles after IPL 2021 postponement As per a report in the Daily Telegraph, the former cricketing great was abducted at gunpoint from Cremorne.

Former Australian Test cricketer Stuart MacGill was kidnapped by an alleged criminal group in an attack on Syndey's north shore and has been held for ransom. ALSO READ: England players face travel obstacles after IPL 2021 postponement As per a report in the Daily Telegraph, the former cricketing great was abducted at gunpoint from Cremorne. According to police, the 50-year-old cricketer was allegedly confronted by a 46-year-old man at 8 pm on April 14. MacGill was forced into a vehicle by two other men and then drove to Bringelly, which is situated in Sydney’s southwest. The police later alleged that the cricketer was assaulted and threatened with a firearm before being driven to the Belmore area and released around an hour later. The kidnapping was reported to the police two days later after which detectives from the NSW Robbery and Serious Cime Squad are investigating in the matter. The police have raided a number of homes in relation to kidnapping. “Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives, with assistance from Raptor Squad and the Public Order and Riot Squad, arrested four men – aged 27, 29, 42 and 46 – from 6am today (Wednesday 5 May 2021),” police said in a statement. “The men were taken to local police stations where charges are expected to be laid. “Officers are currently in the process of executing search warrants at homes at Sutherland, Caringbah, Brighton Le-Sands, Banksia and Marrickville.” However, it is unclear if MacGill was known to the men who kidnapped him. MacGill featured in 44 Test matches and three ODIs for Australia.

Former Aussie cricketer Stuart MacGill kidnapped and held for ransom: Reports

Three men have been arrested for masterminding the kidnapping of two Italians who were held captive in Syria for three years, Italian police said Tuesday.

Over the course of 2016, the three who were arrested -- all from the northern Brescia province -- had convinced two businessmen from the area to travel to Turkey.

One of the two, Alessandro Sandrini, was convinced to go with the offer of faking his own kidnapping during the trip, and earn ransom money.&nbsp;

The other businessman, Sergio Zanotti, made the journey after being promised a business deal involving Iraqi currency.

Once in Turkey, both businessmen were captured for real near the Syrian border and taken to Syria, where they were held captive by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a jihadist group.

According to a police statement, the three men who were arrested had associates in Turkey who carried out the kidnapping and handed the two Italians over to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.&nbsp;

Zanotti left Italy in April 2016 and remained a prisoner until April 2019. Sandrini arrived in Turkey in October 2016 and was freed in May 2019.&nbsp;

Media reports, which quoted investigative sources, said Sandrini was charged for fraud and simulating a crime, as part of the same probe that led to Tuesday's arrests.

Police said a third businessman was approached about making the trip to Turkey, but pulled out at the last minute, refusing to board his plane.

Three men have been arrested for masterminding the kidnapping of two Italians who were held captive in Syria for three years, Italian police said Tuesday. Over the course of 2016, the three who were arrested -- all from the northern Brescia province -- had convinced two businessmen from the area to travel to Turkey.

Three men have been arrested for masterminding the kidnapping of two Italians who were held captive in Syria for three years, Italian police said Tuesday. Over the course of 2016, the three who were arrested -- all from the northern Brescia province -- had convinced two businessmen from the area to travel to Turkey. One of the two, Alessandro Sandrini, was convinced to go with the offer of faking his own kidnapping during the trip, and earn ransom money. The other businessman, Sergio Zanotti, made the journey after being promised a business deal involving Iraqi currency. Once in Turkey, both businessmen were captured for real near the Syrian border and taken to Syria, where they were held captive by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a jihadist group. According to a police statement, the three men who were arrested had associates in Turkey who carried out the kidnapping and handed the two Italians over to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Zanotti left Italy in April 2016 and remained a prisoner until April 2019. Sandrini arrived in Turkey in October 2016 and was freed in May 2019. Media reports, which quoted investigative sources, said Sandrini was charged for fraud and simulating a crime, as part of the same probe that led to Tuesday's arrests. Police said a third businessman was approached about making the trip to Turkey, but pulled out at the last minute, refusing to board his plane.

Three held in Italy over fake kidnapping that turned real 

Hundreds of students were kidnapped from a northwest state of Nigeria in December 2020. The leader behind those kidnappings has now surrendered to the authorities.

Auwalun Daudawa, the leader of the criminal gang that carried out the torturous killings, surrendered to the local officials on Monday, along with six other members of his group.

"In a brief ceremony at the premises of the Governor's office.... Auwalun Daudawa handed over the weapons and also... swore with the Holy Quran not to revert to his old ways," government's spokesman Zailani Bappa told local reporters.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gunmen-kill-19-in-village-raids-in-northwestern-nigeria-362187">Gunmen kill 19 in village raids in northwestern Nigeria</a>

These abductions took place in December 2020 when President Muhammadu Buhari was visiting his home state of Katsina.&nbsp;

The criminals also surrendered 20 Kalashnikovs and other weapons on Monday.

Daudawa had led the mission in which hundreds of students were kidnapped from their school's hostels in a town of Kankara.

Hours after the kidnapping, some students had managed to escape and later nearly 340 students were freed after days of negotiations between the local authorities and the criminal gang.

This has come as a change in the usual violent environment of Nigeria in the past few months, where a few criminal gangs have been terrorising the area by looting, kidnapping and murdering the locals.

Daudawa's surrender has taken place as part o the amnesty offered to the bandits, the statement read.

Hundreds of students were kidnapped from a northwest state of Nigeria in December 2020. The leader behind those kidnappings has now surrendered to the authorities.

Hundreds of students were kidnapped from a northwest state of Nigeria in December 2020. The leader behind those kidnappings has now surrendered to the authorities. Auwalun Daudawa, the leader of the criminal gang that carried out the torturous killings, surrendered to the local officials on Monday, along with six other members of his group. "In a brief ceremony at the premises of the Governor's office.... Auwalun Daudawa handed over the weapons and also... swore with the Holy Quran not to revert to his old ways," government's spokesman Zailani Bappa told local reporters. Also read| Gunmen kill 19 in village raids in northwestern Nigeria These abductions took place in December 2020 when President Muhammadu Buhari was visiting his home state of Katsina. The criminals also surrendered 20 Kalashnikovs and other weapons on Monday. Daudawa had led the mission in which hundreds of students were kidnapped from their school's hostels in a town of Kankara. Hours after the kidnapping, some students had managed to escape and later nearly 340 students were freed after days of negotiations between the local authorities and the criminal gang. This has come as a change in the usual violent environment of Nigeria in the past few months, where a few criminal gangs have been terrorising the area by looting, kidnapping and murdering the locals. Daudawa's surrender has taken place as part o the amnesty offered to the bandits, the statement read.

Criminal leader behind abduction of school children in Nigeria surrenders

For Umar Ahmed, the nightmare began in confusion.

Gunmen arrived late Friday at his school in Kankara, northwestern Nigeria, just as he and his classmates were about to go to bed.

Their first thought was that the men were vigilantes -- civilians who take on a policing role -- "so, we were not scared," the 18-year-old told AFP.

But then, heavy firing started.

"We became terrified. Some of us ran to the perimeter fence trying to escape, while others hid inside."

"They kept shouting we should come back, that they were in the school to rescue us. And most of us came back."

In an operation that left the country reeling, hundreds of students were rounded up that day at the all-boys Government Science secondary school and taken away.

The disappearance was initially blamed on so-called bandits -- criminal groups in the region who for years have terrorised communities by killing and abducting people for ransom.&nbsp;

But on Tuesday, Boko Haram, the dreaded group that kidnapped hundreds of schoolgirls in Chibok in 2014, claimed responsibility.

The abduction took place hundreds of miles (kilometres) away from Boko Haram's stronghold in northeast Nigeria, sparking fears of a massive advance in the jihadists' decade-long insurgency.

Lanky and soft-spoken, Ahmad explained how the students were rounded up under a tree, split into three groups and led through the forest.

"We had no footwear," he said, his feet swathed in black socks after they became riddled with thorns.&nbsp;

The teenager said the group trekked for hours, heading towards neighbouring Zamfara state.

"They flogged us with tree branches and the flat side of their machetes," he recalled.

But then came a stroke of luck.

He and a friend were able to hide behind a bush. They waited for complete silence to prevail before they retraced their steps back home to safety.

- Devastated parents -&nbsp;

The government has not immediately reacted to Boko Haram claim or confirmed its authenticity, and the number of missing students remains unclear -- 320 or 333, according to two accounts by officials, while locals in Kankara put it at more than 500.

Among parents of missing students, many said they had long feared an attack, given the grip on the region by criminal gangs.

"Our children told us armed men would come up to the school fence but they never breached the fence... until last Friday," Hauwa'u Isah, mother of an abducted child said.&nbsp;

Around 8,000 people have been killed in the northwest since 2011, according to the International Crisis Group (ICG) think tank.

Some doubted the claim of responsibility made by Boko Haram's leader, Abubakar Shekau, in an audio recording.

"It's a lie," said Abubakar Lawan, father of two abducted children.

"Abubakar Shekau is used to making such lies just to confuse people. I don't trust that, and the situation is not what he said it is."

"Only God knows the truth," Isah said. "All the information we have is that armed men took over the school.

Parents have been gathering at the school daily since the abduction, desperate for any information about the children's fate.

"I was about to leave yesterday evening when a boy who escaped was brought here," Murja Goma, another mother said.

"He said they had no food to eat, that they live on leaves and acacia fruit that their captors pluck from the trees for them."

"We have shed so much tears, our hearts are grieving and we don't even know what to do," the woman said, appealing to the government to rescue the children.

For Umar Ahmed, the nightmare began in confusion. Gunmen arrived late Friday at his school in Kankara, northwestern Nigeria, just as he and his classmates were about to go to bed.

For Umar Ahmed, the nightmare began in confusion. Gunmen arrived late Friday at his school in Kankara, northwestern Nigeria, just as he and his classmates were about to go to bed. Their first thought was that the men were vigilantes -- civilians who take on a policing role -- "so, we were not scared," the 18-year-old told AFP. But then, heavy firing started. "We became terrified. Some of us ran to the perimeter fence trying to escape, while others hid inside." "They kept shouting we should come back, that they were in the school to rescue us. And most of us came back." In an operation that left the country reeling, hundreds of students were rounded up that day at the all-boys Government Science secondary school and taken away. The disappearance was initially blamed on so-called bandits -- criminal groups in the region who for years have terrorised communities by killing and abducting people for ransom. But on Tuesday, Boko Haram, the dreaded group that kidnapped hundreds of schoolgirls in Chibok in 2014, claimed responsibility. The abduction took place hundreds of miles (kilometres) away from Boko Haram's stronghold in northeast Nigeria, sparking fears of a massive advance in the jihadists' decade-long insurgency. Lanky and soft-spoken, Ahmad explained how the students were rounded up under a tree, split into three groups and led through the forest. "We had no footwear," he said, his feet swathed in black socks after they became riddled with thorns. The teenager said the group trekked for hours, heading towards neighbouring Zamfara state. "They flogged us with tree branches and the flat side of their machetes," he recalled. But then came a stroke of luck. He and a friend were able to hide behind a bush. They waited for complete silence to prevail before they retraced their steps back home to safety. - Devastated parents - The government has not immediately reacted to Boko Haram claim or confirmed its authenticity, and the number of missing students remains unclear -- 320 or 333, according to two accounts by officials, while locals in Kankara put it at more than 500. Among parents of missing students, many said they had long feared an attack, given the grip on the region by criminal gangs. "Our children told us armed men would come up to the school fence but they never breached the fence... until last Friday," Hauwa'u Isah, mother of an abducted child said. Around 8,000 people have been killed in the northwest since 2011, according to the International Crisis Group (ICG) think tank. Some doubted the claim of responsibility made by Boko Haram's leader, Abubakar Shekau, in an audio recording. "It's a lie," said Abubakar Lawan, father of two abducted children. "Abubakar Shekau is used to making such lies just to confuse people. I don't trust that, and the situation is not what he said it is." "Only God knows the truth," Isah said. "All the information we have is that armed men took over the school. Parents have been gathering at the school daily since the abduction, desperate for any information about the children's fate. "I was about to leave yesterday evening when a boy who escaped was brought here," Murja Goma, another mother said. "He said they had no food to eat, that they live on leaves and acacia fruit that their captors pluck from the trees for them." "We have shed so much tears, our hearts are grieving and we don't even know what to do," the woman said, appealing to the government to rescue the children.

Confusion, terror, then safety: How a boy survived Nigeria's student abduction

A Pakistani journalist, who has been a vocal critic of the powerful military and government, was released late Tuesday hours after the government confirmed he had been abducted, his family said.

“My husband was abducted this morning outside the school (in the capital Islamabad) where I work,” Kaneez Sughra, the wife of 51-year-old Matiullah Jan, told Reuters.

She said school security camera footage showed Jan, who had arrived to collect his wife from work, had been bundled into a car after being cornered by five vehicles - three of them unmarked, one with police markings and the other an ambulance.

“Thank God, he’s back,” Sughra said. He was left at the capital’s outskirts after around 12 hours’ captivity.

The military’s public relations wing did not respond to a request for comment on Jan’s reported abduction.

“It is clear that he has been abducted,” Information Minister Shibli Faraz said, adding that the government would put in all efforts to trace him and identify who could be behind the kidnapping.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) demanding Jan’s release said he was among the journalists the army accused of sharing anti-state remarks on social media in 2018.

Jan - one of thousands of journalists and media workers who were laid off during a security crackdown in the run-up to the 2018 general election - told Reuters last year he was forced out of his job after criticising army generals’ interference in politics, a charge the military denies.

Some journalists and bloggers critical of the military — including commentator Gul Bukhari who was abducted and set free in a similar fashion — that were rounded up in 2018 blamed the army’s intelligence arm, the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), for their detention. Pakistan’s army has denied any involvement in Bukhari’s abduction.

Bukhari and Jan both come from military families.

Jan was facing a contempt of court case for a Twitter post critical of Supreme Court judges, and he was due to appear in court on Wednesday.

“My husband had told me that he could be arrested in the case, but we never expected a kidnapping,” Sughra said.

A Pakistani journalist, who has been a vocal critic of the powerful military and government, was released late Tuesday hours after the government confirmed he had been abducted, his family said.

A Pakistani journalist, who has been a vocal critic of the powerful military and government, was released late Tuesday hours after the government confirmed he had been abducted, his family said. “My husband was abducted this morning outside the school (in the capital Islamabad) where I work,” Kaneez Sughra, the wife of 51-year-old Matiullah Jan, told Reuters. She said school security camera footage showed Jan, who had arrived to collect his wife from work, had been bundled into a car after being cornered by five vehicles - three of them unmarked, one with police markings and the other an ambulance. “Thank God, he’s back,” Sughra said. He was left at the capital’s outskirts after around 12 hours’ captivity. The military’s public relations wing did not respond to a request for comment on Jan’s reported abduction. “It is clear that he has been abducted,” Information Minister Shibli Faraz said, adding that the government would put in all efforts to trace him and identify who could be behind the kidnapping. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) demanding Jan’s release said he was among the journalists the army accused of sharing anti-state remarks on social media in 2018. Jan - one of thousands of journalists and media workers who were laid off during a security crackdown in the run-up to the 2018 general election - told Reuters last year he was forced out of his job after criticising army generals’ interference in politics, a charge the military denies. Some journalists and bloggers critical of the military — including commentator Gul Bukhari who was abducted and set free in a similar fashion — that were rounded up in 2018 blamed the army’s intelligence arm, the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), for their detention. Pakistan’s army has denied any involvement in Bukhari’s abduction. Bukhari and Jan both come from military families. Jan was facing a contempt of court case for a Twitter post critical of Supreme Court judges, and he was due to appear in court on Wednesday. “My husband had told me that he could be arrested in the case, but we never expected a kidnapping,” Sughra said.

Pakistani journalist critic of powerful military freed after abduction

A man, who was abducted as a toddler 32 years ago, has finally been reunited with his biological family, with the help of facial recognition technology.

According to Chinese state-broadcaster CCTV, Mao Yin was taken away from his parents in 1988 when he was two years old from a hotel in the Shaanxi province. He was then sold to a childless couple in the neighboring Sichuan province. Mao was then raised by his adoptive parents as Gu Ningning.

Authorities have not released further information about Mao's adoptive parents.

In late April, police in Xian received a tip-off that a man in Sichuan province had bought a child from Shaanxi in the late-1980s, state news agency Xinhua reported. The police used facial recognition technology to analyze an old photo of Mao as a boy and came up with a simulated image of him as an adult, which was then compared with photos in the national database.

He was later confirmed to be the missing son using a DNA test, Xinhua reported.

Following Mao's disappearance, Li had quit her job and devoted herself to the quest of searching for her son. Mao said he had seen Li talking about her missing son on television before, and was moved by her persistence -- but little did he realise he was the boy she had spent decades looking for.

Mao, who now runs a home decoration business in Sichuan, said he would move to Xi'an to live with his biological parents. 
&nbsp;

A man, who was abducted as a toddler 32 years ago, has finally been reunited with his biological family, with the help of facial recognition technology. According to Chinese state-broadcaster CCTV, Mao Yin was taken away from his parents in 1988 when he was two years old from a hotel in the Shaanxi province.

A man, who was abducted as a toddler 32 years ago, has finally been reunited with his biological family, with the help of facial recognition technology. According to Chinese state-broadcaster CCTV, Mao Yin was taken away from his parents in 1988 when he was two years old from a hotel in the Shaanxi province. He was then sold to a childless couple in the neighboring Sichuan province. Mao was then raised by his adoptive parents as Gu Ningning. Authorities have not released further information about Mao's adoptive parents. In late April, police in Xian received a tip-off that a man in Sichuan province had bought a child from Shaanxi in the late-1980s, state news agency Xinhua reported. The police used facial recognition technology to analyze an old photo of Mao as a boy and came up with a simulated image of him as an adult, which was then compared with photos in the national database. He was later confirmed to be the missing son using a DNA test, Xinhua reported. Following Mao's disappearance, Li had quit her job and devoted herself to the quest of searching for her son. Mao said he had seen Li talking about her missing son on television before, and was moved by her persistence -- but little did he realise he was the boy she had spent decades looking for. Mao, who now runs a home decoration business in Sichuan, said he would move to Xi'an to live with his biological parents.

Facial recognition helps reunite man, kidnapped as toddler, with family after 32 years

Six tribal elders were reportedly abducted by the Taliban in northern Afghanistan today, Jowzjan province's governor confirmed.&nbsp;

According to the provincial governor's spokesperson Mohammad Maruf Azar, the abductees were picked up from the Jowzjan-Balkh highway today afternoon.

The incident coincides with the resumption of Taliban and American negotiations to end the war in Afghanistan.

(With inputs from ANI, further details awaited)

Six tribal elders were reportedly abducted by the Taliban in northern Afghanistan today, Jowzjan province's governor confirmed. According to the provincial governor's spokesperson Mohammad Maruf Azar, the abductees were picked up from the Jowzjan-Balkh highway today afternoon.

Six tribal elders were reportedly abducted by the Taliban in northern Afghanistan today, Jowzjan province's governor confirmed. According to the provincial governor's spokesperson Mohammad Maruf Azar, the abductees were picked up from the Jowzjan-Balkh highway today afternoon. The incident coincides with the resumption of Taliban and American negotiations to end the war in Afghanistan. (With inputs from ANI, further details awaited)

Afghanistan: Taliban abducts six tribal elders

International Commission for Jurists (ICJ) has asked Pakistan authorities to immediately lodge a First Information Report (FIR) and investigate the matter of abduction of human rights activist Idris Khattak. 
 
Khattak, who has documented cases of enforced disappearances, was abducted by intel agencies from Pakhtunkhwa province on&nbsp;November 13, politician Jibran Nasir said. 
 
"Idris Khattak worker of National Party who has previously worked with @amnesty &amp; @hrw was abducted by Intel agencies 6 days ago on Islamabad Peshawar highway near Swabi Interchange as per his driver who was abducted along with him but released 3 days later #MissingInPakistan," tweeted Nasir.

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Idris Khattak worker of National Party who has previously worked with <a href="https://twitter.com/amnesty?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@amnesty</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/hrw?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@hrw</a> was abducted by Intel agencies 6 days ago on Islamabad Peshawar highway near Swabi Interchange as per his driver who was abducted along with him but released 3 days later <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MissingInPakistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MissingInPakistan</a> <a href="https://t.co/o54HQ3rF17">pic.twitter.com/o54HQ3rF17</a>
— M. Jibran Nasir (@MJibranNasir) <a href="https://twitter.com/MJibranNasir/status/1196073680234831872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Khattak has worked for Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. 
 
In a complaint filed in Anbar police station, Khattak driver Shahsawar said that the activist was on his way from Akora Khattak village to Swabi when about four unidentified men stopped the activist's car at motorway Interchange and kidnapped him on November 13. 
 
According to Dawn, though the complaint was filed by Khattak's driver and family, police did not register an FIR. 
 
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) demanded Khattak's "immediate recovery", saying that he had "remained associated with progressive politics since his student days". 
 
"HRCP condemns arbitrary detentions and urges the Pakistani state to fulfil its constitutional obligations towards its citizens," the organisation said in a tweet. 
 
According to the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, an entity established by the Pakistani government, 5,000 cases of enforced disappearances have been registered since 2014. Most of them are still unresolved. 
 
Independent local and international human rights organisations put the numbers much higher. Around 20,000 have reportedly been abducted only from Balochistan, out of which more than 2,500 have turned up dead as bullet-riddled dead bodies, bearing signs of extreme torture. 
 
Pakistan's establishment has been long criticised over its practice of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings by International bodies and local human rights organisations that dare to speak out on the issue. 
 
In September, activist Gulalai Islamil fled the country to avoid harassment by security agencies and surfaced in the US seeking asylum.

International Commission for Jurists (ICJ) has asked Pakistan authorities to immediately lodge a First Information Report (FIR) and investigate the matter of abduction of human rights activist Idris Khattak.

International Commission for Jurists (ICJ) has asked Pakistan authorities to immediately lodge a First Information Report (FIR) and investigate the matter of abduction of human rights activist Idris Khattak. Khattak, who has documented cases of enforced disappearances, was abducted by intel agencies from Pakhtunkhwa province on November 13, politician Jibran Nasir said. "Idris Khattak worker of National Party who has previously worked with @amnesty & @hrw was abducted by Intel agencies 6 days ago on Islamabad Peshawar highway near Swabi Interchange as per his driver who was abducted along with him but released 3 days later #MissingInPakistan," tweeted Nasir. Idris Khattak worker of National Party who has previously worked with @amnesty & @hrw was abducted by Intel agencies 6 days ago on Islamabad Peshawar highway near Swabi Interchange as per his driver who was abducted along with him but released 3 days later #MissingInPakistan pic.twitter.com/o54HQ3rF17 — M. Jibran Nasir (@MJibranNasir) November 17, 2019 × Khattak has worked for Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. In a complaint filed in Anbar police station, Khattak driver Shahsawar said that the activist was on his way from Akora Khattak village to Swabi when about four unidentified men stopped the activist's car at motorway Interchange and kidnapped him on November 13. According to Dawn, though the complaint was filed by Khattak's driver and family, police did not register an FIR. Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) demanded Khattak's "immediate recovery", saying that he had "remained associated with progressive politics since his student days". "HRCP condemns arbitrary detentions and urges the Pakistani state to fulfil its constitutional obligations towards its citizens," the organisation said in a tweet. According to the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, an entity established by the Pakistani government, 5,000 cases of enforced disappearances have been registered since 2014. Most of them are still unresolved. Independent local and international human rights organisations put the numbers much higher. Around 20,000 have reportedly been abducted only from Balochistan, out of which more than 2,500 have turned up dead as bullet-riddled dead bodies, bearing signs of extreme torture. Pakistan's establishment has been long criticised over its practice of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings by International bodies and local human rights organisations that dare to speak out on the issue. In September, activist Gulalai Islamil fled the country to avoid harassment by security agencies and surfaced in the US seeking asylum.

ICJ asks Pakistan authorities to lodge FIR in Idris Khattak abduction case

Another Hindu girl has been kidnapped from Pakistan's southeastern province of Sindh allegedly by Muslim men and her family has alleged that she was forcefully converted to Islam.

This tragic incident follows the case of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-hindu-community-protest-in-karachi-against-namritas-murder-250516">Namrita Chandani,</a> a first-year medical student from Ghotki town in northern Sindh, who was found lying on a charpoy last month with a piece of cloth tied to her neck while her room was locked from inside.

The police and authorities had tried to downplay the incident by saying that she committed suicide. However, her family asserted that she was murdered.Namrita`s brother, Vishal, a medical consultant, said that the preliminary checkup showed that she was murdered.

The mystery around the murder of Namrita has raised suspicions with people questioning whether it was a case of forced conversion.In recent times, several cases of forced conversion have come to the fore, highlighting religious persecution in Pakistan.

Every year, around 1,000 young Sindhi Hindu girls between the age of 12 and 28 are abducted, forcibly married and converted to Islam, US-based Sindhi Foundation has said.

In Pakistan, many such incidents are regularly reported where Hindu, Sikh and Christian girls are forcibly converted to Islam and married to Muslim men.

The incidents have come at a time when Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is in Beijing to seek China's support for allegations of the so-called widespread atrocities in Kashmir on global platforms ever since the region`s special status was scrapped on August 5.

Khan was forced to admit last month that his government`s efforts to internationalise the issue had failed to make an impression on world leaders.

However, China, in a bid to cement ties prior to Chinese President's informal summit in south India, has now realigned itself with India`s position that Kashmir issue is a bilateral matter between India and Pakistan to be settled through talks.

Another Hindu girl has been kidnapped from Pakistan's southeastern province of Sindh allegedly by Muslim men and her family has alleged that she was forcefully converted to Islam.

Another Hindu girl has been kidnapped from Pakistan's southeastern province of Sindh allegedly by Muslim men and her family has alleged that she was forcefully converted to Islam. This tragic incident follows the case of Namrita Chandani, a first-year medical student from Ghotki town in northern Sindh, who was found lying on a charpoy last month with a piece of cloth tied to her neck while her room was locked from inside. The police and authorities had tried to downplay the incident by saying that she committed suicide. However, her family asserted that she was murdered.Namrita`s brother, Vishal, a medical consultant, said that the preliminary checkup showed that she was murdered. The mystery around the murder of Namrita has raised suspicions with people questioning whether it was a case of forced conversion.In recent times, several cases of forced conversion have come to the fore, highlighting religious persecution in Pakistan. Every year, around 1,000 young Sindhi Hindu girls between the age of 12 and 28 are abducted, forcibly married and converted to Islam, US-based Sindhi Foundation has said. In Pakistan, many such incidents are regularly reported where Hindu, Sikh and Christian girls are forcibly converted to Islam and married to Muslim men. The incidents have come at a time when Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is in Beijing to seek China's support for allegations of the so-called widespread atrocities in Kashmir on global platforms ever since the region`s special status was scrapped on August 5. Khan was forced to admit last month that his government`s efforts to internationalise the issue had failed to make an impression on world leaders. However, China, in a bid to cement ties prior to Chinese President's informal summit in south India, has now realigned itself with India`s position that Kashmir issue is a bilateral matter between India and Pakistan to be settled through talks.

Another Hindu girl abducted from Pakistan's Sindh province, forced to convert

Grief, fear, and anger have enveloped the town of Chunian in Pakistan's eastern, Punjab province after the bodies of three missing children were found in a district which has seen numerous cases of child abuse and abductions in recent years.

Police said on Monday that they had made twenty arrests as they investigated the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/2322-child-abuse-cases-reported-across-pakistan-in-the-first-six-months-report-162731">suspected murders and sexual assault of the boys</a>. The body of Muhammad Faizan had been found the previous week, a day after he went missing.

Faizan, 8, had failed to return home with his brother when the two went to nearby shops to buy snacks. His body and the remains of two more boys were later found on a deserted section of an industrial estate.

"The animal brutalized my child. I cannot bear this. I want justice," Faizan's mother, Amtal Salam said.

Local media reported three other children from the area have been missing since the middle of the year and another child had disappeared late last week after the bodies were found.

Videos of hundreds of local children being sexually assaulted were found circulating in 2015, which a senior child protection official at the time called the largest child abuse scandal in Pakistan's history.

Last year, the body of a 7-year-old girl was found in a garbage dumpster, which police said was the twelfth incident of a girl being abducted, raped and killed in the district in a year, and sparked violent protests. A man was convicted of committing the murder and was executed.

Hundreds more protested last week, blocking off streets and damaging shops.

Families in the area are fearful of the welfare and safety of their <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/for-the-first-time-in-pakistans-history-court-convicts-man-over-child-pornography--133299">children</a>.

"Now the children are afraid to go to the mosques, they are afraid to go to school. Announcements have been made that parents should escort their children to school," said Shehnaz Bibi, a housewife from a neighbouring village.

Police are continuing to investigate the suspected murders and disappearances and are also looking into the possibility of a serial killer.

Grief, fear, and anger have enveloped the town of Chunian in Pakistan's eastern, Punjab province after the bodies of three missing children were found in a district which has seen numerous cases of child abuse and abductions in recent years.

Grief, fear, and anger have enveloped the town of Chunian in Pakistan's eastern, Punjab province after the bodies of three missing children were found in a district which has seen numerous cases of child abuse and abductions in recent years. Police said on Monday that they had made twenty arrests as they investigated the suspected murders and sexual assault of the boys. The body of Muhammad Faizan had been found the previous week, a day after he went missing. Faizan, 8, had failed to return home with his brother when the two went to nearby shops to buy snacks. His body and the remains of two more boys were later found on a deserted section of an industrial estate. "The animal brutalized my child. I cannot bear this. I want justice," Faizan's mother, Amtal Salam said. Local media reported three other children from the area have been missing since the middle of the year and another child had disappeared late last week after the bodies were found. Videos of hundreds of local children being sexually assaulted were found circulating in 2015, which a senior child protection official at the time called the largest child abuse scandal in Pakistan's history. Last year, the body of a 7-year-old girl was found in a garbage dumpster, which police said was the twelfth incident of a girl being abducted, raped and killed in the district in a year, and sparked violent protests. A man was convicted of committing the murder and was executed. Hundreds more protested last week, blocking off streets and damaging shops. Families in the area are fearful of the welfare and safety of their children. "Now the children are afraid to go to the mosques, they are afraid to go to school. Announcements have been made that parents should escort their children to school," said Shehnaz Bibi, a housewife from a neighbouring village. Police are continuing to investigate the suspected murders and disappearances and are also looking into the possibility of a serial killer.

Pakistani town grapples with child abuse and abduction

In yet another <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-abducted-sikh-girl-to-decide-her-fate-on-her-free-will-246908">tragic incident of forced conversion</a>, a Hindu girl was allegedly abducted from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) in Sukkur in the Sindh province of Pakistan on Saturday and was forcefully converted to Islam.

The undergraduate student, identified as Renuka Kumari, was abducted from her college where she was pursuing a Bachelor`s degree in Business Administration.

All Pakistan Hindu Panchayat, a non-profit organisation, in a Facebook post claimed that the girl left for her college on August 29 and after that she went missing.

Meanwhile, the brother of the girl, Vinesh told ANI that his sister was involved in a romantic relationship with a fellow classmate Babar Aman and the two are now in Sialkot.

However, sources confirmed ANI that the couple is staying at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) worker Mirza Dilawar Baig residence in Sialkot.

Sources added that Renuka was forcefully converted the same way other girls belonging to the minority community were forced to change their religion.

Meanwhile, the police arrested the Aman`s brother last night and is still in custody, sources added.

This incident follows the case of 19-years old Jagjit Kaur, who was similarly abducted and converted to Islam before being married to a Muslim man in the country`s Punjab province.

The incident came to light on Thursday after a Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MLA, Manjinder Singh Sirsa shared a video of the girl`s family alleging that the girl was abducted and forcefully converted.

The incident had drawn the attention of Sikhs worldwide and sparked anger in the community. The girl`s father, identified as Bhagwan Singh, is a `granthi` (priest) at Gurudwara Tambu Sahib in Nankana Sahib.

In a viral video, the family of the girl had complained to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan claiming that their daughter was kidnapped by six persons at gunpoint on the night between August 27 and August 28.&nbsp;

Even though an FIR had been filed, nothing was done to bring back the abducted girl, the family alleged.

The kidnapped girl later emerged in a video in which she claimed she had `converted` to Islam.&nbsp;

The family of the girl begged Imran Khan for justice, stating that they`d self-immolate if their daughter did not return.

The matter had raised a furore in India, with several political leaders across parties seeking action against the perpetrators.

In Pakistan, many such incidents are regularly reported where Hindu, Sikh and Christian girls are forcibly converted to Islam and married to Muslim men.

The incidents have come at a time when Pakistan has been ranting up its diabolic rhetoric of the so-called mistreatment of minorities in India, particularly Muslims, ever since the Indian Parliament decided to revoke the especially accorded constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;

However, the fact remains that Pakistan remains a thoroughly unsafe country for its minorities.

In addition, Islamabad aims to internationalise the Jammu and Kashmir issue, the strictly internal matter of New Delhi, on the global platform has been meeting failures, especially after United States President Donald Trump, with Prime Minister Modi on his side during the sidelines of the French G7 summit last week, backed off on his proposal to mediate on Kashmir.

The much-hyped `Kashmir Solidarity Hour` failed to garner much attention among the Pakistanis. Pakistani authorities made desperate attempts to direct school children to join the protests in support of the people of Kashmir, but that too failed to gather any steam.

Ever since Jammu and Kashmir was stripped of its special status, Islamabad has downgraded bilateral relations with New Delhi by suspending trade, partially closing its airspace, banning of screening Indian cinemas and halting Samjhauta and Thar Express train services.

Instead of addressing pressing issues like struggling economy, rising inflation and poverty, Pakistanis have been concentrating more on Kashmir, vowing to stand in "solidarity" with the Kashmiris till the region attains "freedom".

Apart from spewing venom against India, Pakistan has not learnt its lessons and continues its nefarious and diabolic propaganda by openly supporting `jihad` against the neighbouring country, despite facing massive international pressure over tackling terrorism.

Despite being snubbed by the international community, Pakistan is now looking forward to raising the Kashmir issue during the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York next month. &nbsp;

In yet another tragic incident of forced conversion, a Hindu girl was allegedly abducted from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) in Sukkur in the Sindh province of Pakistan on Saturday and was forcefully converted to Islam.

In yet another tragic incident of forced conversion, a Hindu girl was allegedly abducted from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) in Sukkur in the Sindh province of Pakistan on Saturday and was forcefully converted to Islam. The undergraduate student, identified as Renuka Kumari, was abducted from her college where she was pursuing a Bachelor`s degree in Business Administration. All Pakistan Hindu Panchayat, a non-profit organisation, in a Facebook post claimed that the girl left for her college on August 29 and after that she went missing. Meanwhile, the brother of the girl, Vinesh told ANI that his sister was involved in a romantic relationship with a fellow classmate Babar Aman and the two are now in Sialkot. However, sources confirmed ANI that the couple is staying at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) worker Mirza Dilawar Baig residence in Sialkot. Sources added that Renuka was forcefully converted the same way other girls belonging to the minority community were forced to change their religion. Meanwhile, the police arrested the Aman`s brother last night and is still in custody, sources added. This incident follows the case of 19-years old Jagjit Kaur, who was similarly abducted and converted to Islam before being married to a Muslim man in the country`s Punjab province. The incident came to light on Thursday after a Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MLA, Manjinder Singh Sirsa shared a video of the girl`s family alleging that the girl was abducted and forcefully converted. The incident had drawn the attention of Sikhs worldwide and sparked anger in the community. The girl`s father, identified as Bhagwan Singh, is a `granthi` (priest) at Gurudwara Tambu Sahib in Nankana Sahib. In a viral video, the family of the girl had complained to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan claiming that their daughter was kidnapped by six persons at gunpoint on the night between August 27 and August 28. Even though an FIR had been filed, nothing was done to bring back the abducted girl, the family alleged. The kidnapped girl later emerged in a video in which she claimed she had `converted` to Islam. The family of the girl begged Imran Khan for justice, stating that they`d self-immolate if their daughter did not return. The matter had raised a furore in India, with several political leaders across parties seeking action against the perpetrators. In Pakistan, many such incidents are regularly reported where Hindu, Sikh and Christian girls are forcibly converted to Islam and married to Muslim men. The incidents have come at a time when Pakistan has been ranting up its diabolic rhetoric of the so-called mistreatment of minorities in India, particularly Muslims, ever since the Indian Parliament decided to revoke the especially accorded constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir. However, the fact remains that Pakistan remains a thoroughly unsafe country for its minorities. In addition, Islamabad aims to internationalise the Jammu and Kashmir issue, the strictly internal matter of New Delhi, on the global platform has been meeting failures, especially after United States President Donald Trump, with Prime Minister Modi on his side during the sidelines of the French G7 summit last week, backed off on his proposal to mediate on Kashmir. The much-hyped `Kashmir Solidarity Hour` failed to garner much attention among the Pakistanis. Pakistani authorities made desperate attempts to direct school children to join the protests in support of the people of Kashmir, but that too failed to gather any steam. Ever since Jammu and Kashmir was stripped of its special status, Islamabad has downgraded bilateral relations with New Delhi by suspending trade, partially closing its airspace, banning of screening Indian cinemas and halting Samjhauta and Thar Express train services. Instead of addressing pressing issues like struggling economy, rising inflation and poverty, Pakistanis have been concentrating more on Kashmir, vowing to stand in "solidarity" with the Kashmiris till the region attains "freedom". Apart from spewing venom against India, Pakistan has not learnt its lessons and continues its nefarious and diabolic propaganda by openly supporting `jihad` against the neighbouring country, despite facing massive international pressure over tackling terrorism. Despite being snubbed by the international community, Pakistan is now looking forward to raising the Kashmir issue during the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York next month.

Another Hindu girl abducted, forcefully converted to Islam in Pakistan

A hunt for a Franco-Irish teen who disappeared from a Malaysian resort stretched into a second week Sunday, with hundreds of people scouring the jungle despite it being a major Muslim holiday.

Nora Quoirin, a 15-year-old with learning difficulties, disappeared on August 4, a day after checking into the resort with her London-based family.

They believe she was abducted, but police have classified it as a missing person case.&nbsp;

Even as millions celebrated the Eid al-Adha festival in the Muslim-majority country, a search team almost 300 strong trekked through the dense jungle near the resort<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/former-king-of-malaysia-divorces-ex-miss-moscow-by-triple-talaq-238265"> in southwest Malaysia</a> in an increasingly desperate hunt.

The search team includes helicopters, sniffer dogs and drones, but no trace of the teenager has been found so far.&nbsp;

Officials narrowed the search area over the weekend as they believe that the teen cannot have strayed far from the resort, and have also been playing a recording of her mother's voice through megaphones.

On Sunday police launched a new hotline number for the public to report any information about her.&nbsp;

The schoolgirl went missing from the 12-acre (five-hectare) Dusun Resort, which lies near a forest reserve not far from Kuala Lumpur, in the foothills of a mountain range.

Her family says it would be extremely unusual for the reserved youngster to have wandered off on her own.

While officially treating it as a missing person case, police say they have not ruled out other possibilities.

An open window was found in the cottage where the family was staying at the resort.&nbsp;

Police have questioned several people, are examining fingerprints found on a window, and looking into reports that villagers heard a truck early on the morning that the girl disappeared.&nbsp;

A hunt for a Franco-Irish teen who disappeared from a Malaysian resort stretched into a second week Sunday, with hundreds of people scouring the jungle despite it being a major Muslim holiday.

A hunt for a Franco-Irish teen who disappeared from a Malaysian resort stretched into a second week Sunday, with hundreds of people scouring the jungle despite it being a major Muslim holiday. Nora Quoirin, a 15-year-old with learning difficulties, disappeared on August 4, a day after checking into the resort with her London-based family. They believe she was abducted, but police have classified it as a missing person case. Even as millions celebrated the Eid al-Adha festival in the Muslim-majority country, a search team almost 300 strong trekked through the dense jungle near the resort in southwest Malaysia in an increasingly desperate hunt. The search team includes helicopters, sniffer dogs and drones, but no trace of the teenager has been found so far. Officials narrowed the search area over the weekend as they believe that the teen cannot have strayed far from the resort, and have also been playing a recording of her mother's voice through megaphones. On Sunday police launched a new hotline number for the public to report any information about her. The schoolgirl went missing from the 12-acre (five-hectare) Dusun Resort, which lies near a forest reserve not far from Kuala Lumpur, in the foothills of a mountain range. Her family says it would be extremely unusual for the reserved youngster to have wandered off on her own. While officially treating it as a missing person case, police say they have not ruled out other possibilities. An open window was found in the cottage where the family was staying at the resort. Police have questioned several people, are examining fingerprints found on a window, and looking into reports that villagers heard a truck early on the morning that the girl disappeared.

Hundreds search in Malaysia for missing teen despite the major holiday

India was between 2014 and 2018 able to get back 49 of its nationals who were held hostage in different countries, Minister of State for External Affairs General VK Singh said Wednesday.&nbsp;

The maximum number of Indian nationals brought back was from Kenya (18), followed by Nigeria at 14. The other countries were Afghanistan at 2, Libya at 6, Senegal at 1, South Sudan at 2, Thailand at 3, Turkey at 2 and Yemen at 1.

In addition to this, India also got back the mortal remains of 39 Indians who had been abducted by Islamic State in Iraq.

Giving the details in parliament, Singh said, "Safety and security of Indian nationals in foreign countries is a matter of foremost concern for the Government of India."

He further said, "The Government keeps a close watch on the situation in strife-torn countries, issues advisories wherever required and engages the local authorities regularly to prevent incidents of hostage/kidnapping, while simultaneously making every effort to secure the release of those in captivity."

Last year, 7 Indians engineers were abducted in Afghanistan. The whereabouts of them are still not known.

India was between 2014 and 2018 able to get back 49 of its nationals who were held hostage in different countries, Minister of State for External Affairs General VK Singh said Wednesday.

India was between 2014 and 2018 able to get back 49 of its nationals who were held hostage in different countries, Minister of State for External Affairs General VK Singh said Wednesday. The maximum number of Indian nationals brought back was from Kenya (18), followed by Nigeria at 14. The other countries were Afghanistan at 2, Libya at 6, Senegal at 1, South Sudan at 2, Thailand at 3, Turkey at 2 and Yemen at 1. In addition to this, India also got back the mortal remains of 39 Indians who had been abducted by Islamic State in Iraq. Giving the details in parliament, Singh said, "Safety and security of Indian nationals in foreign countries is a matter of foremost concern for the Government of India." He further said, "The Government keeps a close watch on the situation in strife-torn countries, issues advisories wherever required and engages the local authorities regularly to prevent incidents of hostage/kidnapping, while simultaneously making every effort to secure the release of those in captivity." Last year, 7 Indians engineers were abducted in Afghanistan. The whereabouts of them are still not known.

India got back 49 abducted nationals between 2014 and 2018: VK Singh

The seven <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/taliban-suspected-in-abduction-of-indian-engineers-sources-to-wion-135052">Indian&nbspengineers who were abducted</a> in Afghanistan on Sunday, at least four belonged to Jharkhand, report said.

The Indians belonged to&nbspJhargram in Jharkhand's populous Giridih district. All the engineers&nbspworked for a private company named KEC.

They were abducted by unidentified gunmen on Sunday.&nbspReports said Taliban could be behind the kidnappings but there has been no confirmation so far.

The Indian government continues to engage with the Afghanistan&nbspgovernment over the abduction of seven engineers.

The engineers were travelling in a bus to the power plant when they were abducted by unknown gunmen in northern Baghlan province of Afghanistan.

India's external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj has been in touch with the Afghanistan foreign minister with very little information available on the ground.

Nearly a week after the incident, there is no news of the abducted Indians and no organizations has yet taken responsibility for the abduction.

The engineers were travelling in a bus to the power plant when they were abducted by unknown gunmen in northern Baghlan province of Afghanistan.

The seven Indian&nbspengineers who were abducted in Afghanistan on Sunday, at least four belonged to Jharkhand, report said. The Indians belonged to&nbspJhargram in Jharkhand's populous Giridih district. All the engineers&nbspworked for a private company named KEC. They were abducted by unidentified gunmen on Sunday.&nbspReports said Taliban could be behind the kidnappings but there has been no confirmation so far. The Indian government continues to engage with the Afghanistan&nbspgovernment over the abduction of seven engineers. The engineers were travelling in a bus to the power plant when they were abducted by unknown gunmen in northern Baghlan province of Afghanistan. India's external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj has been in touch with the Afghanistan foreign minister with very little information available on the ground. Nearly a week after the incident, there is no news of the abducted Indians and no organizations has yet taken responsibility for the abduction.

Indians abducted in Afghanistan: 4 belonged to Jharkhand

A 17-year-old girl was allegedly abducted and subsequently raped by eight men in Haryana's Mewat, following which she committed suicide, the police said today.

The girl was found lying unconscious after she was gang-raped in a secluded area in Nuh district after being abducted from her house on Monday, according to a complaint filed by the girl's father with the police.

The teenager was alone in the house when the accused came on two motorcycles and a car and abducted her, it said.

After committing the crime, the accused fled the spot, a police officer of Rojka Meo police station said over phone today.

Following the incident, the girl allegedly committed suicide in her house on Tuesday by hanging herself.

Her father told the police that the 17-year-old had identified the accused, who had stalked her in the past as well.

"We have registered a case of abduction, gang-rape and abetment to suicide against the accused, and are conducting raids to nab them," said Rojka Mev SHO Jai Bhagwan.

"Investigations in the case are on," SP, Mewat, Nazneen Bhasin said.&nbsp;

Registered cases of sexual violence have been steadily rising despite the national outrage that followed the fatal gang-rape of a student on a bus in New Delhi in 2012.

Amid the wave of anger at that time, the government promised to speed up rape trials, introduce harsher penalties, including the death sentence in extreme cases, and introduced a law against stalking.

But statistics show that since 2012, reported rape cases climbed 60 percent to about 40,000 in 2016, with child rape accounting for about 40 percent of them.

(With inputs from PTI)

The teenager was alone in the house when the accused came on two motorcycles and a car and abducted her, it said.

A 17-year-old girl was allegedly abducted and subsequently raped by eight men in Haryana's Mewat, following which she committed suicide, the police said today. The girl was found lying unconscious after she was gang-raped in a secluded area in Nuh district after being abducted from her house on Monday, according to a complaint filed by the girl's father with the police. The teenager was alone in the house when the accused came on two motorcycles and a car and abducted her, it said. After committing the crime, the accused fled the spot, a police officer of Rojka Meo police station said over phone today. Following the incident, the girl allegedly committed suicide in her house on Tuesday by hanging herself. Her father told the police that the 17-year-old had identified the accused, who had stalked her in the past as well. "We have registered a case of abduction, gang-rape and abetment to suicide against the accused, and are conducting raids to nab them," said Rojka Mev SHO Jai Bhagwan. "Investigations in the case are on," SP, Mewat, Nazneen Bhasin said. Registered cases of sexual violence have been steadily rising despite the national outrage that followed the fatal gang-rape of a student on a bus in New Delhi in 2012. Amid the wave of anger at that time, the government promised to speed up rape trials, introduce harsher penalties, including the death sentence in extreme cases, and introduced a law against stalking. But statistics show that since 2012, reported rape cases climbed 60 percent to about 40,000 in 2016, with child rape accounting for about 40 percent of them. (With inputs from PTI)

17-year-old raped by 8 men in Haryana's Mewat, hangs herself

Protesting minority Hindu families residing in the Yazman Tehsil, which is approximately 30-kilometres from Bahawalpur, have come out onto the streets to demand the recovery of the minor girl allegedly abducted five days ago.

According to the Dawn, the protesting Hindus maintained that 12-year-old Rimshah was abducted by some local people.

The Dawn quoted Hari Chand, her father, as telling police in his complaint, that Ata Muhammad, Saghir Ahmed and Wazir Bibi had abducted his daughter.

A spokesman of the District Police Chief's Office was quoted, as saying that a Hindu community delegation has been asked to wait for 24 hours for the recovery of the girl.

Meanwhile, in a separate development, posters featuring images of the senior PML-N leadership, including President Shahbaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Member of the National Assembly Hamza Shahbaz were defaced by unidentified persons during a protest held near the Bahawal Victoria Hospital.

Reportedly, there is a growing feeling that Bahawalpur is being neglected by the Punjab provincial government.&nbsp;

A spokesman of the District Police Chief's Office was quoted, as saying that a Hindu community delegation has been asked to wait for 24 hours for the recovery of the girl.

Protesting minority Hindu families residing in the Yazman Tehsil, which is approximately 30-kilometres from Bahawalpur, have come out onto the streets to demand the recovery of the minor girl allegedly abducted five days ago. According to the Dawn, the protesting Hindus maintained that 12-year-old Rimshah was abducted by some local people. The Dawn quoted Hari Chand, her father, as telling police in his complaint, that Ata Muhammad, Saghir Ahmed and Wazir Bibi had abducted his daughter. A spokesman of the District Police Chief's Office was quoted, as saying that a Hindu community delegation has been asked to wait for 24 hours for the recovery of the girl. Meanwhile, in a separate development, posters featuring images of the senior PML-N leadership, including President Shahbaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Member of the National Assembly Hamza Shahbaz were defaced by unidentified persons during a protest held near the Bahawal Victoria Hospital. Reportedly, there is a growing feeling that Bahawalpur is being neglected by the Punjab provincial government.

Pakistan: Hindu families protest abduction of minor

South African special police unit Hawks have arrested an Indian-origin woman and her partner, both allegedly linked to ISIS, on charges of abducting a British couple.

Fatima Patel and Safydeen Aslam Del Vecchio also face charges of robbery and theft after they went on a spending spree using the couple&#39;s&nbsp;credit cards, building up a stash of jewellery, camping equipment and electronic devices which were found at a remote location where an ISIS flag was being flown.

The Hawks declined to provide any further information due to the sensitive nature of the case as the search continues for the couple whose vehicle was found abandoned more than 300 kms away from where they were last seen on February 9.

But the weekly Sunday Times, quoting a charge sheet after their court appearance, reported that Patel and Del Vecchio also stand accused of contravening the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorism and Related Activities Act by hoisting an ISIS flag at a modest homestead in a rural area.

Del Vecchio also faces another terrorism-related charge for allegedly participating in &quot;extremist web forums that support ISIS and offering to supply phone numbers and sim cards that are not traceable.&quot;

Yousha Tayob, the lawyer representing Patel and Del Vecchio, confirmed that the pair had appeared in the court and were remanded in custody at Westville Prison in KwaZulu-Natal province.

The incident had prompted the British government to issue a travel advisory about possible terrorist attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa, but local Muslim organisations have dismissed this as an &quot;overreaction&quot;.

Ebrahim Deen of the Afro-Middle East Centre told the weekly that South African Muslims posed no threat to travellers and that the incident was more related to crime than an ISIS attack.

&quot;Muslims are largely integrated in (South African) society, are not disillusioned and they face little discrimination like in Europe and elsewhere,&quot; he said.

Martin Ewi of the Institute for Security Studies said South Africa was regarded as a &quot;logistics base&quot; for terror cells in transit, and is not traditionally a target for attacks, although the arrests of Patel and Del Vecchio confirmed the presence of an active terror cell in South Africa.

&quot;We in the counter terror fraternity suspected that they were working as members of an active cell, and the kidnapping will confirm the presence of an active IS cell,&quot; Ewi said.&nbsp;

Fatima Patel and Safydeen Aslam Del Vecchio also face charges of robbery and theft after they went on a spending spree using the couple's credit cards

South African special police unit Hawks have arrested an Indian-origin woman and her partner, both allegedly linked to ISIS, on charges of abducting a British couple. Fatima Patel and Safydeen Aslam Del Vecchio also face charges of robbery and theft after they went on a spending spree using the couple's credit cards, building up a stash of jewellery, camping equipment and electronic devices which were found at a remote location where an ISIS flag was being flown. The Hawks declined to provide any further information due to the sensitive nature of the case as the search continues for the couple whose vehicle was found abandoned more than 300 kms away from where they were last seen on February 9. But the weekly Sunday Times, quoting a charge sheet after their court appearance, reported that Patel and Del Vecchio also stand accused of contravening the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorism and Related Activities Act by hoisting an ISIS flag at a modest homestead in a rural area. Del Vecchio also faces another terrorism-related charge for allegedly participating in "extremist web forums that support ISIS and offering to supply phone numbers and sim cards that are not traceable." Yousha Tayob, the lawyer representing Patel and Del Vecchio, confirmed that the pair had appeared in the court and were remanded in custody at Westville Prison in KwaZulu-Natal province. The incident had prompted the British government to issue a travel advisory about possible terrorist attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa, but local Muslim organisations have dismissed this as an "overreaction". Ebrahim Deen of the Afro-Middle East Centre told the weekly that South African Muslims posed no threat to travellers and that the incident was more related to crime than an ISIS attack. "Muslims are largely integrated in (South African) society, are not disillusioned and they face little discrimination like in Europe and elsewhere," he said. Martin Ewi of the Institute for Security Studies said South Africa was regarded as a "logistics base" for terror cells in transit, and is not traditionally a target for attacks, although the arrests of Patel and Del Vecchio confirmed the presence of an active terror cell in South Africa. "We in the counter terror fraternity suspected that they were working as members of an active cell, and the kidnapping will confirm the presence of an active IS cell," Ewi said.

South Africa: ISIS-linked Indian-origin woman, partner arrested for kidnapping British couple

Brazilian police said on Sunday they had rescued the kidnapped mother-in-law of British Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone unharmed after more than a month in captivity. 
 
Aparecida Schunck Flosi Palmeira -- the 67-year-old mother of Ecclestone&#39;s Brazilian wife Fabiana Flosi -- had been missing since she was kidnapped on June 22. 
 
Authorities said in a short statement she had been &quot;liberated&quot; and was &quot;unharmed,&quot; adding that they had arrested two suspects. 
 
Local Globo TV showed the woman hugging waiting relatives as she arrived at a Sao Paulo police station under police escort. 
 
A demand for a 168-million-Euro ($188 million) ransom, made to the family via e-mail, had not been paid, the O Estado de Sao Paulo daily reported. 
 
Police did not respond to AFP requests for information. 
 
Kidnappers posing as delivery men abducted her from her home in the Jardin Santa Helena area of southern Sao Paulo, neighbours told AFP last week. 
 
She is the mother of Ecclestone&#39;s 38-year-old Brazilian wife Fabiana Flosi, who met the 85-year-old billionaire while working for the Interlagos Grand Prix in 2009. 
 
The couple married in Switzerland and now live in London. 
 
Kidnappings were common in Brazil in the late 1990s and the early 2000s, but dropped with more intensive policing and the creation of a specialised anti-kidnapping department. 
 
Relatives of footballers were particularly targeted, including the mother of Brazilian international star Robinho in 2004. She was held for 41 days in the outskirts of Sao Paulo. 
 
(AFP)

Two suspects have been arrested, police said. A demand for a 168-million-Euro ransom had not been paid

Brazilian police said on Sunday they had rescued the kidnapped mother-in-law of British Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone unharmed after more than a month in captivity. Aparecida Schunck Flosi Palmeira -- the 67-year-old mother of Ecclestone's Brazilian wife Fabiana Flosi -- had been missing since she was kidnapped on June 22. Authorities said in a short statement she had been "liberated" and was "unharmed," adding that they had arrested two suspects. Local Globo TV showed the woman hugging waiting relatives as she arrived at a Sao Paulo police station under police escort. A demand for a 168-million-Euro ($188 million) ransom, made to the family via e-mail, had not been paid, the O Estado de Sao Paulo daily reported. Police did not respond to AFP requests for information. Kidnappers posing as delivery men abducted her from her home in the Jardin Santa Helena area of southern Sao Paulo, neighbours told AFP last week. She is the mother of Ecclestone's 38-year-old Brazilian wife Fabiana Flosi, who met the 85-year-old billionaire while working for the Interlagos Grand Prix in 2009. The couple married in Switzerland and now live in London. Kidnappings were common in Brazil in the late 1990s and the early 2000s, but dropped with more intensive policing and the creation of a specialised anti-kidnapping department. Relatives of footballers were particularly targeted, including the mother of Brazilian international star Robinho in 2004. She was held for 41 days in the outskirts of Sao Paulo. (AFP)

British Formula 1 boss Ecclestone's mother-in-law rescued after month-long captivity

Gunmen kidnapped three Indonesian tugboat crew off Malaysia&#39;s eastern state of Sabah, police said today, the latest in a string of abductions in a region noted for kidnappings by Islamist militants. 
 
It was not immediately clear whether the men were seized by Abu Sayyaf, a group linked to Islamic State (IS) that is responsible for recent beheadings of western hostages and notorious for the extortion of millions of dollars in ransoms. 
 
The tugboat, with a crew of seven, was in waters off the east coast of Sabah on Borneo island, about 8 nautical miles from shore, regional marine police said, when it was attacked by armed men in a white boat late on Saturday. 
 
&quot;The suspects inquired who had their passports with them, and the three who did were taken into their boat, while the four who did not were left behind,&quot; marine police said in a media statement. 
 
The five armed abductors spoke in Malay and the local Suluk dialect, the police added. Police in Sabah are expected to hold a news conference later on Sunday. 
 
In Jakarta, the Indonesian foreign ministry said it had no information yet on the abductions. 
 
The Abu Sayyaf militant group has beheaded two Canadian nationals recently after its ransom deadlines expired. It is still holding men from Japan, the Netherlands and Norway. 
 
(Reuters)

It was not immediately clear whether the men were seized by Abu Sayyaf, a group linked to Islamic State

Gunmen kidnapped three Indonesian tugboat crew off Malaysia's eastern state of Sabah, police said today, the latest in a string of abductions in a region noted for kidnappings by Islamist militants. It was not immediately clear whether the men were seized by Abu Sayyaf, a group linked to Islamic State (IS) that is responsible for recent beheadings of western hostages and notorious for the extortion of millions of dollars in ransoms. The tugboat, with a crew of seven, was in waters off the east coast of Sabah on Borneo island, about 8 nautical miles from shore, regional marine police said, when it was attacked by armed men in a white boat late on Saturday. "The suspects inquired who had their passports with them, and the three who did were taken into their boat, while the four who did not were left behind," marine police said in a media statement. The five armed abductors spoke in Malay and the local Suluk dialect, the police added. Police in Sabah are expected to hold a news conference later on Sunday. In Jakarta, the Indonesian foreign ministry said it had no information yet on the abductions. The Abu Sayyaf militant group has beheaded two Canadian nationals recently after its ransom deadlines expired. It is still holding men from Japan, the Netherlands and Norway. (Reuters)

Gunmen abduct 3 Indonesians off Malaysian state of Sabah

Motorcycle-borne gunmen shot dead an acclaimed Pakistani singer on Wednesday in the busy port city of Karachi, police said. This comes two days after masked men kidnapped the son of a top provincial judge. &nbsp; 
 
Karachi, a metropolis of about 20 million, is home to Pakistan&#39;s stock exchange and central bank and is plagued by political, ethnic and sectarian violence. &nbsp; 
 
Amjad Sabri, 45, was one of South Asia&#39;s most popular singers of the &#39;qawwali&#39;, Sufi devotional music that dates back more than 700 years.&nbsp; 
 
Officers said two gunmen shot at the windscreen of Sabri&#39;s car as it drove off a bridge in the congested Liaquatabad area of the southern city, and a relative travelling with him was also injured.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Two attackers riding a motorcycle intercepted his car and targetted Amjad Sabri who was driving,&quot; Sindh police chief Allah Dino Khawaja told Reuters.&nbsp; 
 
There was no immediate claim of responsibility.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Amjad Sabri died on the way to the hospital,&quot; police surgeon Rohina Hasan said. &quot;He was shot three times.&quot; Police gave no further details.&nbsp; 
 
Violence is common in Karachi despite a sharp decline in murders since the Pakistani military launched a crackdown two years ago against suspected militants and violent criminals.&nbsp; 
 
On Monday, a lawyer, the son of Sindh High Court Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, was abducted outside a city supermarket. The motive for the kidnapping was not immediately clear, authorities said.&nbsp; 
 
In May, gunmen shot dead prominent Pakistani rights activist Khurram Zaki, known for his outspoken stance against the Taliban and other radical Islamist groups, in the central part of the city.&nbsp; 
 
In April last year prominent activist Sabeen Mahmud was shot and killed while travelling in her car.&nbsp; 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp;

Sabri's murder comes close on the heels of the abduction of a provincial judge's son two days ago

Motorcycle-borne gunmen shot dead an acclaimed Pakistani singer on Wednesday in the busy port city of Karachi, police said. This comes two days after masked men kidnapped the son of a top provincial judge. Karachi, a metropolis of about 20 million, is home to Pakistan's stock exchange and central bank and is plagued by political, ethnic and sectarian violence. Amjad Sabri, 45, was one of South Asia's most popular singers of the 'qawwali', Sufi devotional music that dates back more than 700 years. Officers said two gunmen shot at the windscreen of Sabri's car as it drove off a bridge in the congested Liaquatabad area of the southern city, and a relative travelling with him was also injured. "Two attackers riding a motorcycle intercepted his car and targetted Amjad Sabri who was driving," Sindh police chief Allah Dino Khawaja told Reuters. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. "Amjad Sabri died on the way to the hospital," police surgeon Rohina Hasan said. "He was shot three times." Police gave no further details. Violence is common in Karachi despite a sharp decline in murders since the Pakistani military launched a crackdown two years ago against suspected militants and violent criminals. On Monday, a lawyer, the son of Sindh High Court Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, was abducted outside a city supermarket. The motive for the kidnapping was not immediately clear, authorities said. In May, gunmen shot dead prominent Pakistani rights activist Khurram Zaki, known for his outspoken stance against the Taliban and other radical Islamist groups, in the central part of the city. In April last year prominent activist Sabeen Mahmud was shot and killed while travelling in her car. (Reuters)

Karachi: Pakistani Sufi singer Amjad Sabri shot dead

Taliban on Tuesday kidnapped about 25 after pulling them off buses in Southern Afghanistan, officials said, the latest in a series of abductions on the country&#39;s increasingly dangerous highways. 
 
The pre-dawn incident in Washer district of the Helmand province comes a day after militants killed more than 20 people, including 14 Nepalese security guards, in a wave of violence across the country.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;They abducted about 25 men,&quot; the Helmand governor&#39;s spokesman Omar Zwak said. 
 
He was unable to give a more precise figure, but added the passengers were travelling on a bus and two trucks from Southern Kandahar to western Herat province.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Our latest report shows they have been taken to Marja district of Helmand. We have started our search and rescue operation,&quot; he said. 
 
Marja district is the Taliban hotbed and a battleground between the Taliban and Afghan forces in the volatile Helmand province.&nbsp; 
 
Witness Agha Jan told AFP the militants, who were wearing army uniforms, initially detained 37 people.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;They released women and children later, but kept the men,&quot; he said.&nbsp; 
 
The Taliban insurgents said they were targeting Afghan government officials aboard the vehicles.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;They have been taken based on the intelligence. Those who are innocent will be released and those who are working with the puppet Kabul administration will be brought to justice in Islamic Emirate&#39;s court,&quot; a spokesman for the insurgents said on Twitter. 
 
Highways around Afghanistan passing through insurgency-prone areas have become exceedingly dangerous with the Taliban and other armed groups frequently kidnapping or killing travellers. 
 
Earlier this month, gunmen abducted 40 people in northern Kunduz province, releasing some later, but an unknown number of others remain in Taliban captivity.&nbsp; 
 
(AFP) 
&nbsp;

The insurgents say that they were looking for Afghan officials aboard these vehicles

Taliban on Tuesday kidnapped about 25 after pulling them off buses in Southern Afghanistan, officials said, the latest in a series of abductions on the country's increasingly dangerous highways. The pre-dawn incident in Washer district of the Helmand province comes a day after militants killed more than 20 people, including 14 Nepalese security guards, in a wave of violence across the country. "They abducted about 25 men," the Helmand governor's spokesman Omar Zwak said. He was unable to give a more precise figure, but added the passengers were travelling on a bus and two trucks from Southern Kandahar to western Herat province. "Our latest report shows they have been taken to Marja district of Helmand. We have started our search and rescue operation," he said. Marja district is the Taliban hotbed and a battleground between the Taliban and Afghan forces in the volatile Helmand province. Witness Agha Jan told AFP the militants, who were wearing army uniforms, initially detained 37 people. "They released women and children later, but kept the men," he said. The Taliban insurgents said they were targeting Afghan government officials aboard the vehicles. "They have been taken based on the intelligence. Those who are innocent will be released and those who are working with the puppet Kabul administration will be brought to justice in Islamic Emirate's court," a spokesman for the insurgents said on Twitter. Highways around Afghanistan passing through insurgency-prone areas have become exceedingly dangerous with the Taliban and other armed groups frequently kidnapping or killing travellers. Earlier this month, gunmen abducted 40 people in northern Kunduz province, releasing some later, but an unknown number of others remain in Taliban captivity. (AFP)

Taliban abducts 25 passengers from buses in Afghanistan

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