Militants kidnap nearly 50 deminers in Afghanistan

Unknown gunmen kidnapped at least 50 deminers in western Herat province of Afghanistan early Tuesday morning. The deminers were kidnapped by militants in Pashtun Zarghun district of Herat province, local officials confirmed. A spokesman for the provincial security commandment, Abdul Rauf Ahmadi confirmed that militants kidnapped a number of deminers from Pashtun Zarghoon district.He did not disclose further information regarding the exact number of deminers abducted by militants, according to the Afghan (Khaama Press).Herat is among the relatively peaceful provinces in western Afghanistan, however Taliban militants have increased their operations in a number of its districts.No group including the Taliban militants has so far claimed responsibility behind the incident.