Selsela kidnapping claims not validated by evidence, Afghan team told

Pakistani authorities have briefed an Afghan delegation that arrived in Islamabad to probe into the alleged kidnapping of the Afghan envoy’s daughter and also presented before it the relevant forensic evidences including the CCTV footages that did not corroborate the victim’s statement.

Selsela Alikhil, the daughter of Najibullah Alikhil, Afghanistan’s ambassador to Pakistan, was allegedly kidnapped on July 16 and held for several hours by unknown assailants who left her with injuries and rope marks, according to her statement.

On July 18, Afghanistan recalled the ambassador and senior diplomats from Pakistan, noting that the diplomatic staff will not return “until the complete elimination of the security threats, including the arrest and punishment of the perpetrators.”

The Afghan government had also announced sending a security team to Islamabad for assessing the situation before sending the envoy and other diplomats to Islamabad.

According to a statement issued by the foreign office on Sunday, the delegation met with the officials of law enforcement agencies as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was given a comprehensive briefing on all aspects of investigation conducted by the relevant Pakistani authorities.

Also read: Afghan team also probing ‘kidnapping’ incident

They were also taken to the Safe City Office, where they were shown video footage from various locations of different timings in which the complainant, Selsela, was clearly identifiable moving around independently.

An on-site visit of all the locations visited by the complainant was arranged for the delegation, followed by a presentation of technical data including findings of mobile forensic and geo fencing.

The delegation was told that law enforcement agencies had carried out a detailed and thorough investigation into the complaint and a comprehensive witness account led to the conclusion that the findings on the ground did not corroborate the report by the complainant.

This was further substantiated by the technical evidence.

The relevant Pakistani authorities reiterated the earlier request for provision of additional information on certain aspects of the case and access to evidence and the complainant. They told the delegation about the measures taken for enhanced security of Afghan Embassy in Islamabad and its consulates.

“Pakistan attaches high importance to its relations with Afghanistan. At this critical juncture in the Afghan peace process, it is extremely important to work jointly for the shared objective of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan. Pakistan hopes that the Embassy of Afghanistan in Islamabad would soon resume its normal operations,” said the statement.