Khaama Press | November 10, 2015

The National Directorate of Security (NDS) – Afghanistan’s intelligence agency says it has freed eight more hostages of the group of 31 kidnapped by gunmen in February.

A statement released by NDS states that the release of five men, two women and a young boy was secured on Tuesday.

“Our countrymen would be reunited with their families in capital and provinces at soonest convenience,” the statement adds.

19 members of the group were freed earlier and officials have not yet said anything about the fate of the rest of four hostages.

Meanwhile, the statement rejects Taliban claim of executing members of Daesh group for having hand in beheading seven civilians in Zabul province.

“Today, Taliban have been divided in different groups and fighting each other, the mentioned people have been eliminated in internal clashes,” the press release states. “For covering up their atrocities and crimes, these terrorists resort to such propagandas.”

Reports published earlier suggested that Taliban have hanged eight members of IS-Khorasann or Daesh group who were responsible for the killing of seven civilians in southern Zabul province.

The four men, a child and two women were kidnapped from Ghazni province.