Taliban insurgents abducted 60 truck drivers in Afghanistan's northern Samangan province on Sunday, officials said.

The abduction happened in Chapchal area of Dara-i-Suf district.

Sediq Azizi, a spokesman for provincial governor, said that the trucks carrying coal were on their way from Dara-i-Suf district to Balkh province when they were stopped by militants.

He said that the insurgents also seized assistant drivers, but released them later.

Azizi said that efforts were underway for mediation of local elders to secure release of the abductees.

The provincial council said that the insurgents abducted the drivers due to their refusal to pay money which the Taliban collect as tax.

Hashim Sarwari, Samangan deputy provincial council chief, said that the drivers are asked by the Taliban to pay 5,000 for each travel.