Afghanistan

Talks to free 150 labourers held hostage

Article published on the 2008-09-25 Latest update 2008-09-25 11:27 TU

Afghan police training
(Photo: Reuters)

The Afghan government has called a meeting of tribal elders and other local power brokers to try and free 150 labourers who were taken hostage on Sunday near the town of Farah. Officials believe that the Taliban are holding the men but the rebels have not confirmed the claim.

In an effort to avoid a military operation, which they fear would cause bloodshed, the authorities have summoned tribal elders, village and town councillors and other men of local influence to meet in Farah.

"We are trying to solve this issue via talks and negotiations," local official Mohammad Younus Rasouli told the AFP news agency.

The men were employed by a private construction company to build barracks for the Afghan army. They were travelling in three buses through Farah province ahead of the Eid holiday at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

"The Taliban had promised to free them all by noon two days ago but they did not keep their word," Rasouli said.

Similar negotiations are underway in Paktia province in the east of the country, after four men were abducted from a mosque late Wednesday. One of them has been released and tribal elders are negotiating to free the others.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for two bombings in Kandahar province on Wednesday and Thursday.

Officials have announced that 750 police officers have been killed in the first six months of this year, while 1,250 have been wounded.