Operation to rescue Koreans begins-Afghan official

KABUL, Aug 1 (Reuters) An operation aimed at rescuing the remaining 21 Korean hostages held by the Taliban began today in Afghanistan's Ghazni province, a provincial official said, hours after the expiry of another Taliban deadline.

''The operation has started,'' said Khowja Seddiqi, the district chief of Ghazni's Qarabagh district, where the Taliban kidnapped 23 Korean Christian volunteers nearly two weeks ago.

He did not give more details or say who was involved.

REUTERS RN RAI1855