The passengers were travelling in three buses, which were stopped near the Takhar-Kunduz highway on Sunday.

Safiullah Mahzon, Kunduz security director, said that about 170 passengers were kidnapped in Khan Abad district of Kunduz province and were taken to Nikpe village. 

Meanwhile, heavy clashes between government forces and the Taliban militants are ongoing in the province, in order to free the victims.

The militant group is yet to issue a statement.

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