JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Islamic State or Daesh rebels kidnapped 13 teachers of a seminary in Haska Mena district of eastern Nangarhar province on Sunday, an official said.

Attuallah Khogyani, the governor’s spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News the 13 teachers were taken away from a seminary in Shopli Ghazi Baba locality of the district this noon.

He said the kidnapped persons were religious scholars and they were seized while taking an exam.

The down’s administrative chief, Haji Saz Wali, also confirmed the incident and said efforts were underway to secure release of the teachers.

The provincial education department spokesman, Mohammad Asif Shinwari, also confirmed the issue but said exact information was awaited from the district educational officials.

The district’s education officials said they could not contact the provincial education department due to bad weather condition and insecurity.

Earlier, Daesh rebels had kidnapped more than 60 civilians in Pachiragam district and the group two days ago torched dozens of houses of local residents in Kot district.

pk/ma