Wed Jul 23 16:45:20 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided text followed by a news article written from an Indian perspective.

**Summary:**

An elderly British couple, Peter and Barbie Reynolds, have been detained in Afghanistan since February 2025. They were arrested along with a Chinese-American friend and an Afghan translator, who has since been released. The Taliban government claims they are receiving medical care and that efforts are underway to secure their release. However, UN experts have expressed serious concern over the couple’s deteriorating health, citing pre-existing conditions and poor treatment during their detention. They were running education programmes in Afghanistan and held Afghan passports. The reason for their arrest is still unclear, with one source suggesting it may be related to possessing “non-Islamic books.”

**News Article:**

**Elderly British Couple’s Detention in Afghanistan Sparks International Concern; India Closely Monitoring Situation**

**Kabul, July 23, 2025:** The detention of an elderly British couple, Peter and Barbie Reynolds, in Afghanistan has sparked international concern, with the United Nations and several nations, including India, closely monitoring the situation. The couple, aged 80 and 75 respectively, were arrested in February along with a Chinese-American national, Faye Hall, (who has since been released) and an Afghan translator.

The Taliban government, through Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, has stated that the Reynolds are receiving adequate medical care and that efforts are ongoing to secure their release. However, these assurances stand in stark contrast to the warnings issued by independent UN experts, who have highlighted the rapid deterioration of the couple’s physical and mental health.

Sources suggest the detention may be linked to the possession of “non-Islamic books,” raising concerns over freedom of expression and religious tolerance in the region. The Reynolds, who had resided in Afghanistan for 18 years and married in Kabul in 1970, were engaged in running educational programs, further highlighting the tragic nature of their situation.

“The safety and well-being of individuals, particularly elderly citizens, is of paramount importance,” said a source within the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. “We are following the developments very closely and urge the Taliban authorities to ensure the Reynolds receive the necessary medical attention and are released swiftly.”

This case underscores the continued volatility and human rights concerns within Afghanistan under the Taliban regime. The Indian government, maintaining a cautious yet observant stance, is likely to continue to engage diplomatically with all parties involved to ensure a resolution that prioritizes the couple’s health and safe return. The situation also raises broader questions about the treatment of foreign nationals and the overall human rights environment within the country.

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