Unidentified armed men abducted a district chief and his son in Kunar province east of Afghanistan, a private television channel reported Sunday.

"Unknown armed men abducted Hajji Ghulam Nabi the governor of Sauki district along with his son Saturday outside provincial capital Assadabad," Tolo broadcast in its news bulletin.

Citing police in Kunar province, the television also added that search operation to recover and rescue the abducted official and his son has begun.

No groups or officials have claimed of responsibility. However, Taliban militants fighting Afghan and NATO-led troops often target government interests.