Kabul, Oct 8 (IANS): The Afghan government executed by hanging the leader of a kidnappers' ring and five rapists in Kabul's central jail, the Pul-e-Charkhi prison, Wednesday.

"The kidnappers' ring leader Khalid, nicknamed Habib Istalif, and five rapists were hanged on the gallows today morning in the compound of Pul-e-Charkhi prison," a police official, who declined to be named, told Xinhua.

Habib Istalif, according to police, was a notorious outlaw who had been involved in kidnapping children and wealthy persons for ransom, robbery and killing.

The five others, who were also involved in armed robbery and killing, and had intercepted several cars in Paghman district 20 km west of Kabul months ago and gangraped some women, were also executed Wednesday morning, according to the official.

The authorities had earlier invited journalists to the Pul-e-Charkhi prison to cover the execution process, but later changed their mind and promised to send the clips and photos of the execution process to media outlets instead.