Chitral, Feb 16, 2026: Three residents of Bumburet Valley in Chitral, who had been held captive in Afghanistan for nearly six months, returned home recently.
Locals said that Attaur Rehman, Saleemullah, and Ehtishamul Haq were abducted while grazing livestock in a mountainous area near the border. Their release has been attributed to the efforts of Senator Mohammad Talha Mahmood, who personally accompanied them back to the valley.
Large numbers of residents, including members of both the Muslim and Kalash communities, gathered to receive the returning men. People offered prayers and welcomed them along the route.
Addressing the gathering, Senator Mahmood said the people of Chitral were peaceful and educated, and that he took personal interest in securing the release of the abducted men. He also called for development in the region and efforts to eliminate corruption.
The three men later reunited with their families.
The residents thanked the senator for his intervention and urged authorities to improve security measures in border areas to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Published in Dawn
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