Taliban Denies Foreign Hostage Claims... Indian Media Reports "150 Temporarily Detained"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Hyung-gil] The Taliban, which has reoccupied Afghanistan, claimed that they have not kidnapped any foreigners and are only screening some of them before they leave Afghanistan.

According to local media on the 21st, a Taliban official denied the kidnapping rumors, stating, "Our troops will continue to show restraint." He said, "We are investigating some of them before they leave Afghanistan."

On the same day, Indian media reported that 150 people, mostly Indians, were detained near Kabul airport by the Taliban but were later released.

Regarding this, Ahmadullah Wasiq, Taliban spokesperson, called the kidnapping reports "rumors" and claimed, according to Xinhua News Agency citing local media interviews, that "Taliban troops are helping all foreigners access the airport."

The Taliban took advantage of the withdrawal of U.S. and other Western troops to seize control of various parts of Afghanistan and captured the capital Kabul on the 15th.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.