KABUL, March 2: Up to eight gunmen opened fire on a United Nations two-car convoy as it travelled in southeastern Afghanistan, but there were no injuries, a spokesman for the organisation said on Sunday.

The UN’s David Singh told reporters that one of the vehicles, an unmarked rental car carrying two government workers and an Afghan World Food Programme (WFP) employee was riddled with bullets in the attack on Friday.

UN road movements have been suspended following the incident on the route between Wazakhan and Khairkot in Paktika province, Singh said.

While the gunmen hijacked the unmarked car, the WFP vehicle following it turned back to fetch help. “They returned to the scene of the incident with local authorities, they found the three passengers unharmed by the side of the road,” Singh said.

“The armed men reportedly harassed and threatened the passengers and took their vehicle,” he said, adding the car had since been recovered.

“An investigation is underway. The motive for the attack is not known.” In January, a UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) convoy was attacked in neighbouring Nangarhar province, an area known for banditry linked to the country’s rampant drug trade.

Two Afghan security men were killed in the incident, which led to a suspension of UNHCR activities in the area.

According to Singh, UN road movements have also been suspended in the northern province of Sar-i-Pul, due to unresolved tensions between the two main controlling factions in the north.

Singh said local leaders Atta Mohammad and Abdul Rashid Dostam, whose joint control of the region is often strained by skirmishes among their troops, held meetings on Saturday to resolve security issues after recent fighting.—AFP