Taliban 'abduct 21 Afghan tribal elders'

Taliban militants kidnapped 21 tribal elders in Afghanistan close to the Pakistani border whose relatives apparently work for the Afghan government and Nato, an official said Monday. The incident happened eight days ago in Marawara, in the eastern province of Kunar, which borders Pakistan's lawless tribal district where Taliban and al Qaeda-linked networks have carved out strongholds.
"The Taliban first called them for a meeting at a mosque and after a discussion, the Taliban took all the elders away to an unknown place," the local official told AFP on condition of anonymity. "Negotiations have started with the Taliban for their release, but have produced no result so far", he added. Afghan police and other local authorities refused to comment.