SUSPECTED Taliban militants kidnapped more than 150 civilian labourers as they travelled by bus in Afghanistan while a bomb blast today killed six civilians. The labourers were kidnapped yesterday as they were driving in three buses through the southwestern province of Farah, Afghan authorities said.
"About 156 workers who were travelling in three buses were captured by Taliban and are still being held by them,'' an army authority said. "They were working for a construction company which is contracted to build facilities for the ANA (Afghan National Army),'' he said.
The provincial governor, Roh-Ul Ameen, confirmed the mass abduction. "One hundred and fifty workers and three drivers have been taken hostage by Taliban since yesterday. They were driving in three buses to Herat,'' he said. "We are trying through tribal elders to secure their release.'' |