Two Japanese tourists are missing in southern Afghanistan, apparently after crossing into the country from Pakistan, Japanese and Pakistani officials said on Saturday.

The man and woman, both teachers, crossed the border from the Pakistani town of Chaman into southern Afghanistan on Aug. 8 and were meant to return after 15 days but have not been seen, said Habibullah Niazi, a Pakistani police official in Chaman.

Southern Afghanistan is plagued by Taliban insurgents. Al Qaeda-linked militants also operate along the border.

Japanese embassy officials in the Afghan capital, Kabul, said information was very sketchy. "We can confirm that they seem to be missing in southern Afghanistan," one Japanese official said.

PHOTO CAPTION