Taliban kidnap 33 workers of road construction firm

KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): Taliban fighters have kidnapped 33 workers of a road construction company in southern Kandahar province, an official said on Friday.

Dawood Ahmadi, the governor’s spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News the militants had taken hostage security and technical staff of the firm.

The Taliban attacked before dawn the company employees working on a road between Spin Boldak and Shorabak districts. The assailants kidnapped 20 security personnel and 13 technical staffers of the company. 

Ahmadi said the private security staff surrendered without resistance. Following the incident, government forces traded fire with the rebels until morning.

At least four security personnel were killed and a fifth wounded as a result of the fire exchange, the gubernatorial spokesman said. He was unaware of casualties among the company workers.

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