My bet is they crossed the local tribal leader and he wanted them eliminated. This staged event and the story would draw attention away from the warlord. The crime of educating little girls warrants the death penalty from many mussies.
American troops wouldn't consent to play along with this game. But impostors dressed as same might. That would be a good way to "fake out" an unsuspecting family.
US troops don’t carry handcuffs. They carry plastic strap cuffs. Harder to escape from. Everything in the story is too convenient and contradictory. Taliban supporters, most likely.
This whole story sucks and so does the author. Understand that he is a British Lefty. Would like to know more about his leftist background/activities.