Kidnapped workers for Afghan female MP found dead

The bodies of five people working for a female candidate in Afghanistan's parliamentary election have been found in western Herat province. They were among a group of 10 people kidnapped by armed men on Wednesday. Five were later released, say reports. The Taliban later said they carried out the abductions. No group has said it carried out the killings. The staff were working for Fauzia Galani, who is seeking re-election to parliament in September's polls. Police chief Nisar Ahmad Popal said the bodies had been found dumped on a mountainside in Adrskan district. Reports say their hands had been bound and they had been shot in the head. Taliban insurgents opposed to the elections in general - and female candidates in particular - have been blamed for the murder of a number of candidates. On Saturday, candidate Haji Abdul Manan was shot and killed as he was leaving a mosque on the back of a motorcycle.