QUETTA: Seven Afghan nationals were kidnapped and two others were injured in an exchange of fire with the kidnappers in Taftan area near the border with Iran in Chagai district on Sunday evening.

Official sources said the kidnappers attacked Afghan nationals in Talab area, triggering the exchange of fire. Later, the attackers took seven of the Afghans away to an unknown destination, Taftan Assistant Commissioner Murad Kasi said.

He said two Afghan nationals were injured in the gunfight, adding that personnel of the Levies and Frontier Corps took them to a government hospital.

Later, the injured were referred to a Quetta hospital because of their serious condition.

Security forces launched a search operation in the area for the recovery of the kidnapped.

“It is not known who was behind the kidnapping of the Afghan nationals,” Mr Kasi said.

Published in Dawn, January 11th, 2016