The source said the kidnappers were trying to abduct a resident of Lashkar Gah town, the provincial capital, when police raided a location and rescued the kidnapped man.

Additionally, in the past 24 hours, police have arrested 23 people allegedly involved in criminal activities in Helmand, Kunar, Samangan, Balkh and Panjshir provinces, the Ministry of Internal Affairs said in a statement.

The statement said most of the detained were involved in cases of murder and theft, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Afghan caretaker government has vowed to crack down on criminal elements to ensure law and order in the war-torn Asian country.