Taliban Executes 4 Individuals

The Taliban, who seized power in Afghanistan, have executed four residents of the northwestern province of Herat, accused of kidnapping. According to the Associated Press, citing witnesses, the Taliban initially shot the men and then hanged their bodies for public display.

A witness reported that the Taliban announced in the city center that they had captured the four men for their involvement in kidnapping, and subsequently executed them. Later, the regional police chief in Herat stated that Taliban members had rescued a father and son who were abducted. He added that during the shootout, one Taliban member and a civilian were injured, while four kidnappers were killed.

Footage circulating shows the four men being hanged. Representatives of the extremists have yet to comment on the incident, although earlier, one of the movement's founders, Mullah Nuruddin Turabi, told the Associated Press that the Taliban intends to resume public executions.