*KABUL – The Taliban released more than 160 civilian passengers a day afterthey were kidnapped from three buses in northern Afghanistan but kept atleast 20 soldiers and policemen as captives, an official said on Tuesday.*

Nearly 200 passengers were taken as hostages by Taliban insurgents near thenorthern province of Kunduz on Monday as they travelled to the capital,Kabul.

“More than 160 civilians have reached home safely but at least 20 soldiersand policemen have been taken to an undisclosed location by the Taliban,”said Ghulam Rabani Rabani, a provincial council member in Kunduz.

Two Taliban commanders confirmed the release of the civilians. One said theinsurgents had no intention of harming the civilians, who were travellingduring the Eid-ul-Azha holiday, but they would hold the police and soldiersas prisoners.

“We wanted to convey a powerful message to the government that we canlaunch many attacks and defeat them at every level,” said one of thecommanders, who declined to be identified.