( BBC ) - Italian authorities say they believe that two missing soldiers serving in western Afghanistan have been abducted.
"We believe they have been kidnapped together with two Afghans," the defence ministry said in a statement, adding that a search was under way.
Contact was lost after the men crossed a police checkpoint in Herat province.
In March, Afghan President Hamid Karzai was criticised for making a deal with the Taleban to free kidnapped Italian journalist Daniele Mastrogiacomo.
The two Italian soldiers were believed to be in the company of their Afghan driver and translator, according to Afghan officials.