Insurgents kidnap 15 demining workers in Herat province

The deminers and the four vehicles they were travelling in were seized by gunmen in Shabsh area of Kahistan district on Friday evening.

Jilani Farhad, the governor’s spokesman said it was unclear who was behind the kidnappings. Police have mounted a manhunt.

Meanwhile, police spokesman, Abdur Rauf Ahmadi, said the police chief and detectives has reached the area.“We are hopeful of rescuing the demining workers.”

Halo Trust, a non-profit organisation that clears landmines in war-torn communities around the world,has not yet commented on the incident.