At least 60 militants were killed or wounded in the search operations launched for the recovery of kidnapped passengers on Tuesday in southern Zabul province, an official said.
Police Chief Ghulam Sakhi Rogh Lewanai told Pajhwok Afghan News the offensive began at around 3: 00 am in the Khakh-i-Afghan district. Special Forces were landed in the area through helicopters and now engaged in fierce fire fight with insurgents.
Another security officials wishing anonymity said that Gen. Abdul Raziq, police chief of southern Kandahar province and others security officials, have taken part in the operations.
Earlier, some masked gunmen abducted 30 passengers travelling by a bus on the Kabul-Kandahar highway in the Shajoy district of Zabul province.