Suspected Taleban guerrillas have kidnapped a high-ranking local government officer in south-central Afghanistanâs Uruzgan province, an official said yesterday. âOur intelligence chief, Haji Ahmadullah and two of his bodyguards have been kidnapped by Taleban while driving to the provincial capital Tarin Kowt from a mission in neighboring districts,â a security official who asked not to be named told AFP. The official said that the three men were kidnapped Thursday and are believed to have been taken to remote Shah Wali Kot district, a southern mountainous area believed to be the main hideout for Taleban remnants in Uruzgan. Speaking by satellite phone from Tarin Kowt, the official said the kidnappers had not made any contact with government authorities but added: âWe expect them to contact us at any moment.â
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