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Italians missing in Afghanistan Italians 'seized in Afghanistan'
(about 7 hours later)
Italian authorities say they have lost contact with two of their soldiers serving in western Afghanistan. Italian authorities say they believe that two missing soldiers serving in western Afghanistan have been abducted.
In a statement carried by Italian news agency Ansa, the defence ministry said contact had been "interrupted for several hours", and they were missing. "We believe they have been kidnapped together with two Afghans," the defence ministry said in a statement, adding that a search was under way.
Earlier reports, later corrected, had said the two were journalists. Contact was lost after the men crossed a police checkpoint in Herat province.
In March, Afghan President Hamid Karzai was criticised for making a deal with the Taleban to free kidnapped Italian journalist Daniele Mastrogiacomo.In March, Afghan President Hamid Karzai was criticised for making a deal with the Taleban to free kidnapped Italian journalist Daniele Mastrogiacomo.
The two Italian soldiers were believed to be in the company of their Afghan driver and translator, according to Afghan officials.The two Italian soldiers were believed to be in the company of their Afghan driver and translator, according to Afghan officials.
Investigation launched
The four had driven through a police checkpoint in the Shindand district of Herat province on Saturday before all contacts were lost, said Gen Ali Khan Hassanzada, chief of police criminal investigations in western Afghanistan.The four had driven through a police checkpoint in the Shindand district of Herat province on Saturday before all contacts were lost, said Gen Ali Khan Hassanzada, chief of police criminal investigations in western Afghanistan.
"We have launched an investigation in the area," Gen Hassanzada said. The Italian defence ministry said the military personnel were "carrying out liaison activities with local civilian authorities".
The Italian defence ministry said it had notified their families. An Italian embassy official in Kabul said the two men last spoke with officials at their base late on Saturday during "routine contact".
Officials in Rome said the families of the men had been notified.
Western Afghanistan is a relatively safe area, says the BBC's Charles Haviland in Kabul.Western Afghanistan is a relatively safe area, says the BBC's Charles Haviland in Kabul.
But Shindand district has become more volatile as it borders a province where the militant insurgency has been on the rise, our correspondent adds.But Shindand district has become more volatile as it borders a province where the militant insurgency has been on the rise, our correspondent adds.
Earlier reports, later corrected, had said the two were journalists.