Militants abduct 13 travelers in northern Afghanistan

PUL-E-KHUMRI, Afghanistan - Armed militants intercepted a passenger bus in Afghanistan's northern Baghlan province on Tuesday morning and kidnapped 13 commuters, said a local official.

"A group of armed militants intercepted a passenger bus in Jar-e-Khushk area of Baghlan-e-Markazi district, Baghlan province today morning. After checking the travelers, the militants took 13 men to unknown locations," an army spokesman in the province Abdul Hadi Jamal told Xinhua.

The ill-fated commuters were travelling from northern Badakhshan to capital city Kabul, the official said, adding efforts are underway to ensure the safe release of the abductees.

However, the official blamed the Taliban militants for the kidnapping. Taliban militants who are active in parts of Baghlan and the neighboring Kunduz province are yet to claim responsibility.