KABUL - A joint military and police operation has been launched to track and rescue 31 hostages held for nearly two months in southern Zabul, local officials told TOLOnews.

The operation was launched Thursday in Khak Afghan district – where the abductees were allegedly transferred soon after being kidnapped by unknown armed men on Kabul-Kandahar highway.

"So far, the operation is going on very well and there has been no complaining regarding the operation," head of provincial council Ataullah Jan Haqparast said. "If it continues the same way, we hope there will be achievements."

The abduction incidents have increased since February 24 – the first incident when 31 bus passengers were kidnapped by armed masked men.

Only this month, more than 60 passengers and employees of government and non-government agencies were abducted in Baghlan, Herat, Logar, Sar-e-Pul and Nimruz provinces.

The families of 31 hostages, however, look hopeless and disappointed as the fate of their loved ones is still unknown after two months.

These families have set up protest camps for more than 20 days in Zarnigar Park of Kabul. The protestors have repeatedly accused the government of doing nothing to secure release of their family members.

"The government has forces, helicopters and other resources. We need our passengers released," said Shahnaz, a mother whose young son is among 31 hostages.

"We are ready to die. We are ready to be burnt alive, so that we will be able to get rid of this situation," another protestor Abdul Hussain said.

President Ashraf Ghani, however, said during his visit of Iran that so far, $6 million have been spent on tracking the hostages.

He stated that efforts were underway to secure the release of hostages.

But earlier, when the families of 31 hostages met with Ghani at the Presidential Palace, Ghani reportedly told the visitors that he could not guarantee the release of their loved ones – something that sparked huge criticisms by the families of hostages and the civil society activists. (Tolonews)