2nd LD Writethru: Afghan forces launch operations to rescue 30 hostages from kidnappers clutch

Units of Afghan national security forces launched major operations in Khak-e- Afghan district of the southern Zabul province on Tuesday to ensure the safe release of the 30 passengers from the clutch of kidnappers, an official said.

"The operations involving units of national army, police and national directorate for security was launched in the wee hours of Tuesday in Khak-e-Afghan district and so far 32 militants involved in kidnapping have been killed," the official told Xinhua but declined to be identified, saying authorized officials would brief the media.

A group of unknown armed people separated 30 passengers from ethnic Hazara from two buses in Shahjoi district of Zabul province nine days ago and took them to unknown locations. After spotting the hostages' location, the security forces kicked off operations.

Locals believe that militants loyal to the Iraq and Syria-based so-called Islamic State, known as Daesh, are behind the kidnapping, while officials blamed Taliban insurgents for the abduction.

Meantime, Zabul police chief Ghulam Sakhi Rogh Liwanai in talks with Xinhua confirmed the operations and said the crackdown was launched at 03:00 a.m. local time Tuesday and would last till the safe release of the kidnapped passengers. Endi