Two German men who went missing in Afghanistan last Friday may have been kidnapped, according to the German Foreign Ministry. The unidentified men, who were reportedly working for an aid organization, disappeared while hiking north of Kabul near Salang Pass. Salang Pass is a major route through the Hindu Kush Mountains. Their driver reported them missing when they failed to return from their trip.
"I must unfortunately confirm that two German nationals have gone missing in Afghanistan," German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle told reporters. "There is an intensive search for them under way. We are following up on indications that they may have been the victims of a kidnapping."
A spokesman for the Afghan Interior Ministry said the situation is under investigation.
Taliban militants are not thought to be involved in the men’s disappearance because they are not active in the Hindu Kush Mountains. “This is not a Taliban area. It is one of the safest areas of Afghanistan,” said Parwan province police chief General Sher Ahmad Maladani.
Local authorities believe nomads may be responsible.
###
Click here for more World News
