Unknown armed men abduct 12 commuters in western Afghanistan

FARAH, Afghanistan, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Unknown armed men intercepted a civilian vehicle outside Afghanistan's Farah city, the capital of Farah province, and took 12 commuters to an unknown location on Saturday, an official said on condition of anonymity.

Deputy for Farah's provincial council Shah Mahmoud Naemi confirmed the incident with Xinhua.

The travelers, all civilians, "were stopped by Taliban rebels in Durabad area outside Farah city this morning," said Naemi.

However, Naemi said the rebels, after gunning down two of the commuters, took 10 others to an unknown location.

Taliban militants are yet to claim responsibility.