Unknown armed men abducted 18 de-miners in Khost province in eastern Afghanistan on Thursday, provincial police chief Abdul Hakim Isaqzai said.
"A group of de-miners travelling in a truck in Mazghwaza area of Musa Khil district this afternoon were intercepted by unknown men and 18 personnel were kidnapped," Isaqzai told Xinhua.
He said the kidnapped men were working for Mine Detection Center (MDC) a non-governmental organization active in clearing mines and unexploded explosive devices in the province.
The official said that the kidnappers also drove away the truck used by the de-miners.
"The de-miners had not informed police while travelling," he added.
He said an investigation was underway.
Taliban militants were often blamed for kidnapping aid workers.
Weeks ago 16 personnel of a mine clearance agency were abducted in eastern Nangarhar province but set free a day later.
The post-Taliban Afghanistan has been regarded as the most mine infested country in the world.
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