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Italians 'seized in Afghanistan' | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Italian authorities say they believe that two missing soldiers serving in western Afghanistan have been abducted. | |
"We believe they have been kidnapped together with two Afghans," the defence ministry said in a statement, adding that a search was under way. | |
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. |
The Italian defence ministry said the military personnel were "carrying out liaison activities with local civilian authorities". | |
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. |