Taliban attack buses in Afghanistan, abduct 60 peopleJune 21, 2016 - 13:53 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - An Afghan official says Taliban insurgents have attacked a convoy of buses and cars in southern Helmand province and abducted around 60 people, the Associated Press reports. Mohammad Ismail, a district police chief in Helmand, says initial reports show the attack happened in Gareshk district. He says the Taliban forced the vehicles to stop at gunpoint. It's not known where the Taliban have taken the abducted passengers. Taliban spokesman Qari Yusouf Ahmadi says the insurgents still hold 27 of the abducted but freed the others. Earlier this month, the Taliban killed 12 people they had captured, including policemen and soldiers, in eastern Ghazni province. Last month, Taliban-linked insurgents killed at least nine people after seizing passengers off buses in northern Kunduz province. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | About 32,000 rally in Yerevan to deman Pashinyan’s resignation About 31,700 people attended an opposition rally on Thursday, May 9 in Yerevan demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Armenian, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister to meet in Almaty Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov will meet in Almaty. Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015. Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents. |