Afghanistan: Twenty-four de-mining workers kidnapped

Kabul, 6 July (AKI) - Twently-four people working as de-miners in western Afghanistan have been kidnapped by Taliban militants, according to news reports.

The group of de-miners in Farah province were kidnapped early Wednesday along with their four drivers, according to provincial head of police Syed Mohammad Roshandil, news agency Xinhua reported.

The kidnapping occurred while the de-miners were at work. They are all employed by the Afghan non-government organisation Demining Agency for Afghanistan.

An average of 52 Afghan civilians lost their lives per month in 2010 due to landmine explosions, according to Mine Action Coordination Centre of Afghanistan, a humanitarian group.