Militants blamed for abductions

Afghanistan’s senior Shiite community leader said Islamic State is behind the abduction of dozens of Shiite men and boys on Feb. 24.

Mohammad Mohaqiq said two former Taliban leaders, who switched allegiance to Islamic State, were responsible for the abduction of 31 members of the minority Shiite Hazara community in Zabol province.

Security forces launched a search for the Hazaras, Mohaqiq said, but the effort failed.