Kidnapped translator beheaded: Taliban

The kidnapped Afghan translator for an Italian journalist was beheaded on today in southern Afghanistan, a spokesman for the Taliban claimed.

Ajmal Naqshbandi, a freelance journalist and translator, was kidnapped along with Daniele Mastrogiacomo, of the Italian daily La Repubblica, and a driver in southern Helmand province on March 5.

The driver was beheaded, and Mastrogiacomo was released March 19 in a much criticised swap for five Taliban militants.

The Taliban made a similar demand in return for the release of Naqshbandi.

“We asked for two Taliban commanders to be released in exchange for Ajmal Naqshbandi, but the government did not care for our demands, and today, at 3.05pm, we beheaded Ajmal in Garmsir district of Helmand province,” said Shahabuddin Atal, who claimed to be a spokesman for regional Taliban commander Mullah Dadullah.

The Taliban have also claimed that they kidnapped two French workers from the aid group Terre d’Enfance and their three Afghan staff.

Nimroz Governor Ghulam Dastagir Azad said today he had no news from the kidnappers or the five missing persons.