9 deminers kidnapped in Maiwand

KANDAHAR CITY (PAN): Unknown gunmen kidnapped nine deminers in Maiwand district of southern Kandahar province, an official said on Tuesday.

The incident took place in the Karez area a day earlier, the governor’s spokesman, Javed Faisal, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

The deminers were busy detecting landmines in the area when unidentified gunmen kidnapped them along with two vehicles, he said.

It remained unclear where the nine individuals were being held hostages, Faisal said, adding the deminers had gone to the area without informing the security officials concerned.

He said it was not known to which firm the kidnapped men belonged and who had seized them. The official said tribal elders had been requested for intervention, but so far no group had claimed responsibility.

ma/mud