KABUL - Special Forces on Tuesday launched an operation in Deh Sabz district of Kabul to release the Deputy Minister of Public Works, Ahmad Shah Waheed, from the kidnappers who abducted him last Tuesday, but the operation was unsuccessful.

An Afghan police officer said that Minister Waheed was injured during a gunfire battle between the police force and kidnappers. Afghan police claim that Minister Waheed was shot twice in his leg during the shootout.

Kabul Police Chief Gen. Zahir Zahir, who led the failed operation, told TOLOnews that before the operation launched residents of Deh Sabz cooperated with the investigation by providing leads to Minister Waheed. Though, before the police force could arrest the kidnappers they had already escaped the premises with the minister in midst of the clash.

"The kidnappers were informed that we detained Fawad, a man who was providing food for the suspects," Zahir said. "Unsuitable land, ups and downs and water-filled holes of Deh Sabz district paved the way for them to runaway."

Deh Sabz is a location known for kidnapping; it's located in northeastern Kabul. Gen. Zahir said that 15 kidnapping cases were filed from this district.

Minister Waheed was kidnapped by four unknown gunmen last Tuesday morning while he had just entered his vehicle in Khair Khana area of Kabul city. (Tolonews)