Gunmen hijack drivers, vehicles of demining firm in Logar

PUL-I-ALAM (Pajhwok): Officials on Sunday said five of seven vehicles of a demining firm hijacked by Taliban militants in central Logar province had been recovered along with three drivers.

Goveor Mohammad Halim Fidai told a press conference that Taliban gunmen snatched seven vehicles and as many drivers belonging to Lenoir City-based Sterling Global Operations on Saturday in the provincial capital, Pul-i-Alam.

He said five of the vehicles and three of the drivers had been recovered from the rebels as a result of a series of operations by security forces.

The goveor said two vehicles and four drivers remained in custody of the Taliban, denying any deal with the insurgents in retu for the release of the captives.

He said efforts were underway to secure the release of the drivers and the vehicles, adding that security forces had arrested nine suspects in coection with the hijacking.

An official of the Sterling Global in Logar, Obaidullah, told Pajhwok Afghan News that gunmen stormed their camp late on Saturday, taking away seven vehicles and as many drivers.

He confirmed three drivers and five vehicles had been recovered from the clutches of the gunmen. He did not say if the attackers were Taliban or not. Obaidullah urged security forces to increase their security.

The Taliban have so far said nothing in this regard.

Another foreign demining organization, Halo Trust, has also been operating in Logar province. Gunmen snatched Halo Trust employees and vehicles four times in Pul-i-Alam and Khoshi district last year and were subsequently released as a result of security operations.

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