Eleven mine clearers kidnapped in Afghanistan
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 2 April 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Eleven mine clearers kidnapped in Afghanistan, 2 April 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5768ffd8e.html [accessed 4 November 2019] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
April 02, 2016
Afghan officials say 11 mine clearers have been kidnapped by gunmen in the west of the country.
Police in Herat Province said on April 2 that all 11 were Afghans employed by the HALO Trust mine-clearing organization and that they had been abducted on April 1.
A military operation has been launched in the area to secure their release. Six suspects have been detained, police said.
Local tribal leaders had earlier tried to negotiate the deminers' release.
Abduction for ransom is widespread in Afghanistan, and deminers are easy targets as they usually work in remote regions.
After almost 40 years of war, Afghanistan is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world.
Based on reporting by AP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
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