PUL-I-ALAM (PAN): Suspected militants abducted one employee of the Public Works Department while eight others managed to escape in central Logar province, an official said on Saturday.

The employees were returning to Pul-i-Alam, the provincial capital, in a vehicle from the Tira Pass area after a snow-clearing operation. They were seized by unidentified gunmen.

Public Works Director Abdul Ahad Haqbin told Pajhwok Afghan News eight of the workers managed to flee, but the driver and the vehicle were seized.

Provincial police chief, Brig. Gen. Ghulam Sakhi Rogh Lewanai, said they had launched efforts at securing the release of the captive.

mrh/ma/mud