In eastern Afghan province Paktia, 36 road construction workers were killed, 24 injured on Thursday, Deputy provincial governor Abdul Rahman Mangal told Xinhua.
The ill-fated workers were kidnapped by insurgents Wednesday but 36 bodies were found Thursday, Mangal told Xinhua.
However, spokesman for provincial governor Rohullah Samoon said insurgents raided a construction company in the wee hours Thursday, causing 36 people including construction workers and security guards dead.
He said eight Taliban fighters were also killed in the fighting.