Gunmen in southern Afghanistan kidnapped 30 men from the Hazara ethnic community, authorities said Tuesday, in what appeared to be the latest in a series of attacks on Shiites in the predominantly Sunni country.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack Monday afternoon, police and officials said, according to U.S. News and World Report.
The gunmen kidnapped the 30 people, all men, from two buses on a major road in Zabul province, provincial Gov. Mohammad Ashraf said. He said all women, children and non-Hazaras were left behind.
Abdul Khaliq Ayubi, a local government official, said the gunmen all wore black clothing and black masks. Others claimed they had “military clothes.”
“Their faces were covered and they were wearing military clothes,” said a witness, according to the BBC.
The Interior Ministry said the buses were driving from the southern city of Kandahar to Kabul when the kidnapping was done by “unknown armed individuals.”
Authorities were searching for the people who were kidnapped. It is unknown whether they are still alive. Some of whom may be government officials, Ashraf said.
OK, Fine. 