KABUL - The Taliban have released about 20 passengers and drivers who were abducted last week from Kandahar-Daikundi highway, security sources said.

The Police Chief of Daikundi, Juma Gul Bardi, announced on Saturday that the abductees were released unconditionally as a result of mediation by the tribal elders.

"The passengers and drivers who were traveling from Kandahar to Kajran [a district in Daikundi] were released yesterday," Bardi said, explaining the abductees were ordinary shopkeepers, drivers and labors, and were transferred by the Taliban to an unknown place.

He, however, stated that the motive behind the abduction was still unclear.

According to the police chief, the Taliban stopped six civilian vehicles last week in central Uruzgan province and took with them 20 passengers and drivers to an unknown place.

This was the second biggest abduction in the past five weeks after unknown gunmen abducted 31 passengers from Shah Joy district of Zabul when they were traveling on Kabul-Kandahar highway.

Despite many efforts by the elders and a military operation in Zabul, the fate of 31 abductees is still unknown.

The sit-in protest before the Parliament is still underway by the civil society groups, demanding the government for the safe release of the abductees. (Tolonews)