KABUL : The Taliban militants have kidnapped at least 170 passengers fromthe highway connecting Kunduz with the northeastern Takhar province ofAfghanistan.

The Security Director of Kunduz Security Commandment Safiullah Mahzonconfirmed the incident and said the passengers were abducted from thevicinity of Khanabad district.

The local officials are saying that the Afghan forces are busy conductingoperation to rescue the abducted passengers.

In the meantime, Mahzon said the kidnapped passengers were on their way toKabul province when they were kidnapped.

He did not disclose further information regarding the exact number ofpassengers who have been kidnapped but the local sources are saying thataround 170 people were travelling in three buses when they were kidnapped.

The anti-government armed militant groups including Taliban militants havenot commented regarding the report so far.

The Taliban militants often kidnap passengers on the main highways of thecountry on charges of having links with the government or securityinstitutions of Afghanistan.

Kunduz has been among the relatively calm provinces in northern parts ofthe country but the security situation has deteriorated in some parts ofthe province during the recent years.