Suspected Taliban militants have kidnapped more than 150 civilian labourers who were travelling in three buses in south-western Afghanistan, according to reports.
They were captured yesterday in the south-western province of Farah.
The labourers were working for a construction company which is contracted to build facilities for the Afghan National Army.
Provincial governor Roh-Ul Ameen has confirmed the mass abduction.
The group was captured in the Bala Buluk area where Taliban have previously been active.
Other Afghan officials had said earlier that the group had been released yesterday evening.
The Taliban, who were in government between 1996 and 2001, have carried out several abductions as part of a campaign against the Afghan government and its international allies.
If confirmed to be the work of the Taliban, this would be the largest abduction by the al-Qaeda-linked militia.
Twenty-three South Korean hostages were kidnapped in the central province of Ghazni a year ago.
Two were killed before the remainder were released after controversial talks between the Taliban and South Korean government.
