Taliban has reportedly chopped off the finger of a Helmand resident who voted in Lashkargah City on Saturday – October 20.

Ahmad Zia Hayat, head of Bost Hospital in Helmand, confirmed the incident and said the man, named Hafizullah, is a resident of Gereshk district. 

Hafizullah voted on election day in Lashkargah City and, as every other voter in the country, had an ink-stained index finger afterwards. 

While on his way home to Gereshk district, the Taliban reportedly stopped his car close to Nahre Saraj district. 

Hayad said Hafizulalh was taken hostage by the Taliban and held for three days. Before releasing him, the Taliban reportedly chopped off his ink-stained finger. 

Taliban has not commented on the incident.  

This is the first reported incident of its kind in the wake of Saturday’s elections. 

Following the 2014 presidential elections, the Taliban cut the fingers of 14 people off – after they were found to have voted.