This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/6909763.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Taleban 'kill captured Germans' Taleban 'kill captured Germans'
(20 minutes later)
Two Germans kidnapped near Kabul in Afghanistan this week have been killed, a spokesman for the Taleban has said.Two Germans kidnapped near Kabul in Afghanistan this week have been killed, a spokesman for the Taleban has said.
Qari Yousuf Ahmadi said one hostage was shot at 1205 local time (0735 GMT) and the other an hour later as no German troop pullout had been announced. The spokesman, Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, said the Taleban's demand that Germany withdraw its 3,000 troops in Afghanistan had been ignored.
Afghan and German officials say they have no confirmation of the killings and are seeking evidence.Afghan and German officials say they have no confirmation of the killings and are seeking evidence.
The Taleban has also threatened to kill at least 18 hostages from South Korea, captured separately on Thursday.The Taleban has also threatened to kill at least 18 hostages from South Korea, captured separately on Thursday.
Deadlines passDeadlines pass
Police in Afghanistan said the Germans, whose identity has not been revealed, were seized on Wednesday in Wardak province where they had been working on a dam project. Local police said the Germans, whose identity has not been revealed, were seized with six Afghan colleagues on Wednesday in Wardak province where they had been working on a dam project.
German foreign ministry spokesman Martin Jaeger said Berlin was taking the statements "very seriously" but had so far had no independent confirmation "that a hostage was murdered in Afghanistan". Germany has about 3,000 troops in the country
President Roh Moo-hyun urged the release of the South Koreans German foreign ministry spokesman Martin Jaeger said Berlin was taking the Taleban's statements "very seriously" but had no independent confirmation "that a hostage was murdered in Afghanistan".
Germany has about 3,000 troops in the country.Germany has about 3,000 troops in the country.
Qari Yousuf Ahmadi said the hostages were killed because the Afghan and German governments had not made contact to enter negotiations. Qari Yousuf Ahmadi said that after the first hostage was killed - at 1205 local time (0735 GMT) - a deadline for the second captive was extended because the Afghan government had contacted the group.
He said two deadlines had been set on Saturday but both had passed. However, shortly afterwards he said the second German had also been killed.
If confirmed, the killings would be the first of foreign hostages since the death of an Indian engineer in April last year.
The fate of the South Koreans had not been decided, the spokesman said.The fate of the South Koreans had not been decided, the spokesman said.
The Taleban wants South Korea's 200 troops to leave the country.The Taleban wants South Korea's 200 troops to leave the country.
President Roh Moo-hyun urged the release of the South Koreans
South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun appeared on television on Saturday to say his government was making every effort to secure the safe return of his country's citizens.South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun appeared on television on Saturday to say his government was making every effort to secure the safe return of his country's citizens.
South Korea already plans to withdraw its troops by the end of the year.South Korea already plans to withdraw its troops by the end of the year.
The Koreans were taken at gunpoint while travelling in a bus from Kandahar city to the capital, Kabul, on Thursday. The Koreans were taken at gunpoint in Ghazni province while travelling in a bus from Kandahar city to the capital, Kabul, on Thursday.
They were reportedly Christians on an evangelical and aid mission. At least 15 are said to be women.They were reportedly Christians on an evangelical and aid mission. At least 15 are said to be women.
The BBC's Charles Haviland in Kabul says according to a local district governor tribal elders in Ghazni are trying to negotiate with the kidnappers for their release.
The seizure was the largest-scale abduction of foreigners since the fall of the Taleban regime in 2001, according to the Associated Press.The seizure was the largest-scale abduction of foreigners since the fall of the Taleban regime in 2001, according to the Associated Press.