The Taliban militants have reportedly hanged eight of the group’s fighters for beheading seven hostages in southern Zabul province of Afghanistan.According to the local government officials in Zabul province, the militants were hanged by fighters belonging to Mullah Mohammad Akhtar Mansoor.
The district administrative chief for Arghandab, Mohammad Hasratyar, said the militants originally belonged to the Islamic State terror group but had recently joined the Taliban ranks.
He said the group was led by the Taliban commander Akram and were instantly hanged after they were convicted of beheading the civilians.
The seven civilians were kidnapped from Gilan District of southeastern Ghazni province and their dead bodies were recovered from Khak-e-Afghan District of southern Zabul province on Sunday.
According to the officials, the victims belonged to the Hazara community which included four men, two women and a child.
President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani condemned the brutal act by the militants in strongest words. “Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, condemns in the strongest terms the beheading of civilians especially women and a child in Khak-e-Afghan district of Zabul province and considers that atrocious act a sign of desperation and defeat of the enemies of the people of Afghanistan,” a statement by Presidential Palace said.
The statement further added that an extraordinary security meeting was held today “to seek ways for tracking down and punishing the perpetrators of this atrocious crime and commiserate with the families of the victims.”
The anti-government armed militant groups have not commented regarding the report so far.
