Abduction of Seven Children in Kunar Raises Security Concerns

Local sources in eastern Kunar province say the abduction of a group of seven children in the provincial capital has heightened concerns over worsening insecurity and kidnappings in Afghanistan.

According to the sources, the incident took place on Saturday evening, September 19, in the Nawabad area of central Kunar province. They said four girls and three boys were abducted in the incident, and that they were between four and 10 years old.

The sources confirmed the incident to the media on Sunday, September 20. So far, the identities of the abducted children and the perpetrators remain unknown.

Taliban authorities in Kunar have also confirmed the incident, but have not provided further details about the kidnappers or the fate of the children.

The incident comes amid recent reports of rising kidnappings, mysterious killings and armed robberies in different parts of Afghanistan. Kunar is one of Afghanistan’s eastern provinces, with Asadabad as its capital.