Taliban Denies Knowing Where Missing Germans Are

Authorities in Afghanistan are searching for two German citizens missing since Friday and feared to have been kidnapped.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said Tuesday that his government is following up on indications the two may have been abducted. He said an intensive effort is underway to find them, but provided no further details.

Afghan police say the Germans disappeared Friday near the Salang Pass, in the northern province of Parwan. Provincial police chief Sher Ahmad Maldani said the two left their driver to go hiking in the mountains and never returned.

Taliban spokesman Zahibullah Mujahid told news agencies that the insurgent group has no information about the missing Germans.

Both foreigners and Afghans have been abducted in the war-torn country for ransom by criminals and insurgents.

Germany has some 5,200 troops deployed in Afghanistan as part of the international coalition. German forces are based mainly in the country's north.

Separately, Afghan government officials confirmed Tuesday that villagers stoned two Taliban insurgents to death after the militants killed a 60-year old man for allegedly aiding the local government.

The militants were killed Sunday in the southern province of Helmand.