Unknown gunmen kidnapped 19 workers of a de-mining organization in Paktia province yesterday.
Abdul Wali Sahi, Deputy Governor of Paktia province says that the 19 de-miners were cleaning an area off explosive devices in the jurisdiction of Zurmat District when unidentified gunmen attacked them and took them to an unknown location.
Kidnappers have also taken four vehicles and other equipments belonging to the de-miners.
The company is reported to be an American company but the workers kidnapped are Afghans.
No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the kidnapping nor is the motive behind the kidnapping identified.
In recent two months kidnapping cases have increased in Afghanistan with militants trying to set free their comrades behind the bars as a condition for the save release of the abductees.
In southern Urozgan province five workers of a social welfare organization were killed this month after their demand of setting their comrades free was not met.
Also, in Urozgan’s neighboring Zabul province another group is kidnapped and kidnappers have demanded the release of their people from prisons in and exchange for the abductees.
Government has not yet responded for their demand.


