Tapi Workers Killed in Afghanistan: Report

Fears that the much-delayed transnational Tapi gas pipeline may face major challenges in Afghanistan seem to be coming true with reports of unidentified gunmen having killed five mine-clearance workers in Afghanistan May 21 while kidnapping one.

Daoud Ahmadi, a spokesman for the governor of Kandahar province, said the demining team was working in the southern province’s Maiwand district when attacked, Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported May 22.

Recently the Taliban claimed that its recent gains in western Afghanistan does not threaten the safety of the Tapi gas pipeline. The route of the Tapi pipeline passes through large areas under Taliban control or influence. The total length of Tapi will be 1,814 km, of which 214 km run through Turkmenistan; 774 km through Afghanistan; and 826 km through Pakistan to the border with India. Work on the Afghan section of the Tapi pipeline started late-February with the groundbreaking ceremony taking place in Herat city. 

A Taliban spokesman said the incident was being investigated, adding that victims were not wearing the usual uniform worn by Tapi workers, Dawn added.