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KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghanistan's senior Shiite community leader says the Islamic State group is responsible for kidnapping dozens of Shiite men and boys in February.
Mohammad Mohaqiq says two former Taliban leaders, who switched allegiance to the rival Islamic State group, were responsible for the abduction of 31 members of the minority Shiite Hazara community on Feb. 24 in southern Zabul province.
He spoke with The Associated Press on Saturday. It is the first time an Afghan leader has confirmed Islamic State group involvement in the kidnappings.
Mohaqiq is a deputy to Afghanistan's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah. He named Mullah Abdullah Kaka and his deputy Mullah Mansur Dadullah as behind the kidnappings.
Muhaqiq says the two prominent Islamic militants have simply "changed their white flag" of the Taliban for the black IS flag.
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