Twelve people died and 50 were kidnapped on a highway in Afghanistan.

(Baonghean.vn) - Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan are suspected of killing 12 people after blocking traffic on a road in the eastern part of the country, while 50 others were kidnapped in the north in a series of highway attacks, according to Afghan officials on June 8.

The Taliban are suspected of carrying out a series of highway attacks in Afghanistan on June 7th and 8th. Photo: Reuters.

The Taliban have achieved numerous victories in battles across the country in recent months, and the killing of their leader, Mullah Akhtar Mansour, in a US drone strike last month has had no significant impact on the violence there.

Attackers in the eastern Ghazni province stopped two cars on the night of June 7 and shot all the occupants dead. Seven members of the security forces were also among those killed, according to Jawid Salangi, spokesman for the provincial governor.

Jawid Salangi said, "The Taliban ordered the passengers to get off the bus and ruthlessly shot them dead." He added that locals later found 12 bodies.

Taliban representatives have not yet commented.

Among the victims were members of the Afghan security forces. Photo: Internet.

On June 8, the Taliban again intercepted a bus and a car near the northern city of Kunduz, kidnapping all 50 people on board, according to information provided to Reuters by regional police spokesman Mahfozullah Akbari.

The person said, "We are doing everything we can to rescue them as soon as possible."

Travelers on the roads have faced a series of killings and kidnappings in recent weeks in Afghanistan. Insurgent forces killed at least nine people and kidnapped 20 others when they ambushed three buses in Kunduz late last month, and the Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

Thao Linh

(According to Reuters)