5 Afghan health workers kidnapped in Kandahar

5 Afghan health workers kidnapped in Kandahar

KABUL, Afghanistan — The Afghan government says gunmen have kidnapped five health ministry employees in the southern province of Kandahar.

Provincial spokesman Zulmi Ayubi said Thursday that members of the medical team were abducted while returning to Kandahar in a car after visiting a project in Maiwand district. He said the gunmen stopped the car and abducted two doctors, a pharmacist, a nurse and their driver.

The health ministry issued a statement calling for their release.

The kidnappers were not identified, but Taliban insurgents have been waging a campaign of assassinations and abductions of government workers. The campaign of fear is especially intense in Kandahar, where Afghan and international forces have been increasing their presence.