PUL-I-ALAM (PAN): Security officials closed the Porak bazaar in central Logar province after a policeman was abducted by unidentified gunmen, an official said on Wednesday.

The policeman was on his way home when he went missing near the Porak area on Tuesday night, crime branch officer Mohammad Jan Obaid told Pajhwok Afghan News.

The area had been cordoned off and police had arrested eight suspects in connection with the kidnapping, he said. Five of the detainees were freed after investigations.

A police officer, wishing anonymity, said they had been ordered by high-ups to close down the bazaar until the missing policeman was recovered.

Shopkeeper Juma Khan said: “Police have ordered the bazaar closed. They have asked people to help them secure the release of their colleague.” There are 180 shops in the bazaar located north of Pul-i-Alam, the provincial capital.

mm/ma/mud