3 Logar education department officials abducted

PUL-I-ALAM (Pajhwok): Three senior education department officials have been kidnapped in central Logar province, an official said on Thursday.

An official at the Provincial Education Department, who wished go unnamed, told Pajhwok Afghan News unknown gunmen kidnapped the three officials along with their vehicle on the road between the provincial capital, Pul-i-Alam, and Kharwar district.

He said the abducted officials included observation supervisor Rafiullah Hussinkhel, supervisor Shah Agha and executive supervisor Ismatullah.

The supervisors were busy campaigning for a Wolesi Jirga candidate, Siddiq Hassan Zadah, when unknown gunmen abducted them.

Meanwhile, the provincial council chief, Hassibullah Stanekzai, also confirmed the education officials were campaigning for the Wolesi Jirga candidate.

President Ashraf Ghani through a decree has restricted government officials from taking part in the electoral campaign.

However, the Wolesi Jirga candidate Hassan Zadah denied the abducted officials were campaigning for him.

Provincial police spokesman Shapur Ahmadzai also confirmed the incident and said efforts were underway for their release.

On the other hand, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said he was unaware about the incident.

pk/ma