SARI PUL, Afghanistan, July 5 (Xinhua) -- Anti-government militants have abducted four judges in Afghanistan's northern Sari Pul province, head of Provincial Council, Mohammad Noor Rahmani said Thursday.

"Taliban militants after fierce fighting with the security forces on a road linking Sari Pul province to the neighboring Jawzjan on Wednesday afternoon abducted four judges and took them to unknown location," Rahmani told Xinhua.

Taliban outfit has yet to claim responsibility.

Meantime, sources with police in the restive Sari Pul province have said that efforts are underway to ensure the safe release of the abducted government employees.