Afghan Insurgents Kidnap De-Miners In Logar Province

June 07, 2015

Insurgents have kidnapped at least 12 de-miners in separate incidents in Afghanistan's eastern Logar Province.

The provincial police chief said Taliban fighters halted a car carrying six de-miners early on June 7 and abducted them. On June 6, insurgents attacked a convoy of de-miners, allowing all but six to walk free.

No group has claimed responsibility for the abductions, but the Taliban are active in the area.

Meanwhile, in southern Uruzgan Province, the Taliban launched an assault on Afghan security forces in the Gizab district.

A local administrator said the insurgents had taken control of a dozen police checkpoints, adding that two policemen have been killed and 10 others wounded.

The Taliban have stepped up attacks across the country since declaring the start of their annual warm-weather offensive in April.

In the northeastern Badakhshan Province, Afghan security forces launched an operation on June 7 to retake checkpoints overrun by the Taliban in Yamgan district.

Based on reporting by AP