Relatives of the passengers kidnapped by unknown armed men in Shah Wali Kot district in Kandahar province two weeks ago have asked government to free the 32 abductees.

At least 70 passengers were abducted Mano and Chaar villages of Shah Wali Kot at least two weeks ago, local officials said. Seven of the abductees were killed, 30 were released, but 32 were taken hostage by the kidnappers, the officials added. 

The relatives of the kidnapped passengers have gone to Kandahar City to call for help from the local government.

“They (kidnappers) killed my four sons, changed their clothes and put their bodies on the road,” said Delara, a resident of Shah Wali Kot.

“We saw our sons lied on the ground when we left our houses. We could not recognize them despite lots of efforts,” said Shah Gul, another resident of the district.

According to Kandahar officials, efforts are underway to find and release the kidnapped passengers.

“Efforts are underway to identify the area and then we will launch a special operation to release the abductees,” said Zia Durani, spokesman for Kandahar Police Headquarters.

The two villages that civilians were kidnapped from are located close to Kandahar-Uruzgan Highway.

Residents of the villages claimed that the Taliban were behind the kidnapping.

Taliban has however rejected the claim.