Taliban insurgents today kidnapped 35 professors from Kandahar University in Afghanistan’s Southern Province after stopping their van on the highway to Kabul.

Dawa-Khan Minapal, spokesman for Afghanistan Southern Provincial Governor, confirmed the incident, according to reports from Afghanistan.

He said the professors were on their way to Kabul when they were abducted.

Manapal said tribal elders had started negotiating their release with the Taliban.

He said this was coming ahead of Saturday’s run-off vote to replace President Hamid Karzai.

Manapal said security was being ramped up in Afghanistan.

•Photo shows two Taliban fighters.