The Afghan security forces have rescued 27 people from a Taliban prison in southern Helmand province, the Defense Ministry (MoD) said Thursday.

The MoD stated that Afghan Commandos launched a rescue operation in the Nahri Saraj district of Helmand on Wednesday night.

Twenty-seven people – including a former soldier – were freed from the prison, the MoD added.

“These prisoners were severely tortured by the Taliban, [who] violated all Islamic norms and principles, as well as rights (Human Rights),” a statement issued by the ministry read.

According to the statement, a Taliban militant was killed during the raid.

A number of weapons, ammunition, and radios were also seized by the Afghan soldiers, the statement said.

The Taliban has not commented on this regard.

A big stand-off is building as the first of a three-match ODI series gets underway between Afghanistan and Ireland on Thursday.

These three matches form part of the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League.

Last time Afghanistan and Ireland met in an ODI was 21 May 2019 in Belfast, where the visitors won by 126 runs.

The Afghans were also the team to cut Ireland’s World Cup dreams short three years ago when they knocked them out in the qualifiers back in 2018. Afghanistan have not played an International match since March 2020.

An unofficial warm-up match was played between the two sides last weekend, providing a chance for the teams to size each other up. It could prove to be a useful exercise in deciphering the opposition ahead of the match.

Andrew Balbirnie, Ireland captain, said: “We’re fully confident that we play good cricket and that we can come away with 30 points, but we’re going to have to do it (play good cricket) for all three games – they come thick and fast, but that’s what everyone is here for: we’re here to get 30 points and if we don’t come away with that, we’ll be disappointed.”

The first ODI between the two teams gets underway Thursday at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Joe Biden was sworn in as America’s 46th President on Wednesday in Washington DC.

Biden will preside over a deeply polarized electorate, with millions of voters still believing defeated Trump’s false claims of election fraud, and a divided Congress, where gridlock looms as the default and success will come only by compromise, Reuters reported.

Few presidents have taken power in circumstances such as these: a still-raging pandemic claiming lives, a continuing threat of armed insurrection and a defiant former president who faces a Senate trial charged with encouraging an attack on his country’s capital.

Speaking at his inauguration, Biden said:” “We will get through this together! Together!.

He said the world is watching today and that America has been tested but it has come out stronger for it.

He also said the US will lead by the power of example.

He also called for a moment of silence for all those who died from COVID-19 in the past year.