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Roundup: 4 more Afghans abducted as protesters call for release of abductees

Xinhua, March 30, 2015 Adjust font size:

Unknown armed men abducted four persons including a businessman in the northern Balkh province on Sunday night, spokesman for the provincial government said Monday.

"Unidentified armed men abducted a businessman, Mohammad Allah, along with three of his colleagues in Sholgara district Sunday night," Farhad Munir told Xinhua.

The abducted businessman was coming from the neighboring Samangan province when unknown armed men intercepted his car and took him along with three others to an unknown location, the official added.

However, he said that an investigation has been initiated into the case to determine the motive for abduction and those behind the crime.

This is the fourth abduction incident by unknown persons since February in the conflict-ridden country.

In the first kidnapping incident which happened in the southern Zabul province late February, unknown armed men abducted 31 passengers from two buses and the government has yet to secure their release.

The second and third abduction cases, according to media reports, had been registered on Herat-Farah road and Daikundi province couple of weeks ago but the abducted persons had been set free.

Several peaceful demonstrations have been held in parts of the country, including the capital city Kabul, demanding the government to take actions against those behind the kidnapping of 31 passengers.

More than 100 protesters, including family members of the abducted persons, gathered in front of the parliament in Kabul on Monday calling on the government to secure the safe release of their dears from the kidnappers.

Despite military operations launched by the government couple of weeks ago in a bid to release the abducted passengers, their fate is still unknown. Endi