India in touch with Afghan gov't on abducted nationals

NEW DELHI, May 6 (Xinhua) -- The Indian government is in touch with Afghanistan authorities to ascertain the whereabouts of the Indian nationals abducted in Afghanistan on Sunday, an official said.

"We are aware of the abduction of Indian nationals from Baghlan province in Afghanistan. We are in contact with the Afghan authorities and further details are being ascertained," an official spokesperson said, responding to reports of the abduction.

According to Afghan police, unknown armed men abducted six foreigners and their Afghan driver in Khawja Alwan area outside Afghanistan's northern Baghlan province's capital city Pul-e-khumri on Sunday.

"All the abducted foreigners were working for a sub-station of a power supply company in Khawja Alwan area when the incident happened today morning," police spokesman Zabihullah Shija told reporters.

The Afghan side has yet to confirm the nationalities of the abductees, but blamed Taliban militants for the abduction, saying "Taliban commander Mullah Shahen is behind the crime."

Taliban militants are yet to make comment. Enditem