South Asia News
Afghan policemen among dozens kidnapped by Taliban
Mar 27, 2011, 10:29 GMT
Kabul - Between 30 and 40 people, most of them policemen, have been kidnapped by the Taliban militants in Afghanistan, a police official said Sunday.
The kidnappings took place in the Chapa Dhara district in eastern Kunar province, Khalilullah Zayaee, the police chief for the province said.
The policemen were off duty and travelling at the time from Nooristan to Kunar on a leave, Zayaee said.
'The police were not armed and they were in civilian clothes,' he said.
'We don't know where they have been taken. Search is going on for the kidnapped people,' Zayaee said. 'There were no reports of any killings yet so we assume they are being held hostage.'
The Taliban confirmed the incident in a statement saying it was holding 50 police officers hostage.
The Taliban ambushed the group after being tipped off that the policemen, who had completed their training to join the national police force, would be travelling in Kunar province, the statement said.
The eastern Kunar province that borders volatile Pakistani tribal areas has seen a spate of violence in recent months.
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