KUNDUZ, Afghanistan, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Taliban militants kidnapped three passenger buses along with more than 150 passengers in Khan Abad district of Afghanistan's northern Kunduz province on Monday, district governor Hayatullah Amiri said.

"The incident took place at 4:00 a.m. local time and the Taliban rebels forcibly took the buses to the villages under their control," Amiri told Xinhua.

He said security forces had launched operations to ensure the safe release of the abducted passengers.

Safiullah Mahzon deputy to Kunduz police chief has also confirmed the abduction of passenger buses, saying efforts are underway to set the hostages free.

The abduction occurred just a day after Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani announced a three-month conditional ceasefire starting from Monday calling upon Taliban outfit to follow suit.

Taliban group has yet to response to the government's ceasefire offer.