Units of Afghan national security forces launched major operations in Khak-e- Afghan district of the southern Zabul province on Tuesday to ensure the safe release of the 30 passengers from the clutch of kidnappers, an official said.

"The operations involving units of national army, police and national directorate for security was launched in the wee hours of Tuesday in Khak-e-Afghan district and so far 32 militants involved in kidnapping have been killed," the official told Xinhua but declined to be identified, saying authorized officials would brief the media.

A group of unknown armed people kidnapped 30 passengers in two buses from ethnic Hazara in Shahjoi district of Zabul province nine days ago and took them to unknown locations.

Locals believe that militants loyal to the Iraq and Syria-based so-called Islamic State known Daesh are behind the kidnapping, while officials blamed Taliban insurgents for the abduction.

Meantime, Zabul police chief Ghulam Sakhi Rogh Liwanai in talks with Xinhua confirmed the operations and said the crackdown was launched at 03:00 a.m. local time Tuesday and would last till the safe release of the kidnapped passengers.

The military crackdown was launched after the failure of mediations by local elders to release the abductees, he said.

"The security forces have besieged Khak-e-Afghan district from all directions and all the entry and exit roads are in control of the security personnel," Liwanai told Xinhua.

"We are trying our best to secure the safe release of the kidnapped persons. In addition to military means, we are also in contact with abductors through local elders to ensure their release," the police chief added.

According to local media reports, the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e- Jhangavi and Chechen militants in cooperation with local Taliban militants are behind the abduction.

Taliban militants have yet to claim responsibility for the kidnapping.

"It makes no difference for us who is responsible for the abduction of the innocent civilians. Our duty is to ensure their safe release and we spare no efforts to achieve the goal," Liwanai said.

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