Taliban kidnap six Afghan journalists

The Taliban has kidnapped six Afghan journalists from the country’s Paktia province.

The reporters had attended a media workshop in the neighbouring province of Paktika in the eastern region of Afghanistan.

They were abducted while travelling together on the return journey

A Taliban spokesperson claimed the journalists had been “mistakenly” kidnapped.

The reporters work for both private and government media organisations which broadcast news in the Pashto and Dari languages.

“Yes, our mujahideens [fighters] have mistakenly kidnapped them,” claimed a spokesperson for the extremist insurgent group.

“Right now mobile services are not working, but they will be released as soon as we establish contact with the local commander.”

Paktia’s governor said his officials were “trying to negotiate [the journalists’] release.”

The abduction comes as peace talks between the US and the Taliban appear to be reaching a conclusion.

The two sides hope to reach an agreement which would conclude the US’ 18-year-long war in Afghanistan, in exchange for the Taliban pledging to prevent transnational terrorist groups from operating in the country.

Afghanistan was the deadliest country in the world for journalists in 2018, with at least 13 deaths recorded, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

The toll is higher according to the International Federation of Journalists, which says 16 were killed last year.

In June the Taliban said Afghan journalists would be targeted unless outlets stopped broadcasting what the hardline extremist group described as government propaganda against them.

The Taliban gave Afghan media one week to stop broadcasting “anti-Taliban advertisements”, a threat which was condemned by the Afghan government.

The peace talks have continued despite the Taliban’s threat and its continued suicide bombings, including one which killed 63 at a wedding in August.

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Additional reporting by agencies