KANDAHAR, June 30: Taliban have claimed responsibility for kidnapping 12 Afghan truck drivers taking supplies to US-led coalition bases in southern Afghanistan, a man claiming to be a spokesman for the ousted militia said on Wednesday.

"We claim responsibility for destroying four trucks, and kidnapping the drivers," Abdul Latif Hakimi said, without elaborating on the condition of the hostages. "They were transporting foodstuffs for the Americans, they were feeding the Americans," he added,

The drivers were kidnapped by suspected Taliban and had their vehicles burned on Tuesday, Kandahar commander Khan Mohammed said on Wednesday. The truck convoy was on its way from southern Kandahar province to neighbouring Uruzgan, about 395 kilometres south of Kabul, when it was stopped in a valley between the two provinces, he said.

"They were transporting logistics to US bases in Uruzgan province, Taliban set fire to their four vehicles and the drivers and other staff in the convoy were kidnapped," Kandahar commander Khan Mohammed said.

Southern Afghanistan and Kandahar, Uruzgan and Zabul provinces in particular, are believed to be Taliban strongholds. These areas have experienced repeated attacks against Afghan and US-led troops, aid workers and reconstruction workers. -AFP