15 coal miners abducted in N. Afghanistan

15 coal miners abducted in N. Afghanistan

A group of unidentified armed men abducted 15 coal miners from Karkar area of the northern Baghlan province and took them to unknown locations, a local official, Mohammad Marouf Sarwari said Monday.
"A group of unknown armed people stormed the office of coal miners in Karkar area outside provincial capital the Pul-e-Khumri city on Sunday and after destroying office items including several computers took 15 miners and staff to unknown locations," Sarwari told reporters here.
The abductors also took away 11 vehicles after overpowering the guards of the office, the official added. There is no foreigner among the kidnapped people, he said.
Spokesman for Baghlan provincial government Mahmoud Hakmal confirmed the incident and without providing further details, said "Efforts and search operations are underway to locate and ensure safe release of the abductees."