India, Feb. 25 -- The Taliban on Monday announced that they have detained two British citizens, a Chinese-American, and their Afghan translator in the central province of Bamiyan.

The arrest of the group, which was confirmed by the Afghan Interior Ministry, has sparked calls for the immediate release of the detainees, particularly from the family of the British couple.

"Based on certain considerations, the authorities have detained four people: two British citizens holding Afghan papers, one person with Chinese and American nationality and their translator," Abdul Mateen Qani, spokesman for the Afghan Interior Ministry, told AFP.

"Efforts are underway to resolve this issue," Qani said shortly after the daughter of the two Britons -- Pe...