Two Czech women kidnapped in western Pakistan

Two Czech women are reported to have been kidnapped in the Balochistan province of Pakistan, close to the Iranian border. The Czech Foreign Ministry said the two tourists - believed to be in their mid-twenties - were kidnapped on Wednesday evening after a van they were travelling in was stopped by unknown assailants. The group took them out of the van together with their guard, who was later released. No one has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping or made any demand for ransom. There is speculation they could have been abducted to Afghanistan. The ministry has not revealed the identity of the hostages. A French man was abducted in the same place two years ago and was released a month later.