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Indian freed in Afghanistan

Freed Indian (L) and Nepalese workers after their release in Adaskan district of western Herat. The Afghanistan security forces freed them in a raid on Sunday. — Reuters photo

New Delhi, May 18
An Indian national, who was kidnapped by militants in Afghanistan nearly a month ago, was today freed following an operation by the security forces in that country, official sources here said.

Forty-year-old Muhammad Naeem, who was kidnapped along with a Nepalese citizen on April 21, was in good condition, they said.

The men, contracted to supply logistics to Afghan police training camps, were kidnapped by militants while they were travelling in western Adraskan district bordering Iran.

The freed pair now headed to Herat on their way to Kabul, the sources said. Naeem will then be brought back to India.

Intelligence forces had located the place where the two were held and launched a raid overnight, provincial intelligence chief Habibullah Habib was quoted as saying, adding the head of the kidnapping group has been arrested while efforts were on to round up other suspects.

Another official was quoted as saying that he did not believe any ransom was paid. The Indian was slightly ill, but both were physically and mentally fit and as a whole feeling well, he said.

Family elated

Mangalore: Parents of Muhammad Naeem were elated when the authorities communicated them on the happy ending to the hostage crisis. ”We are very happy. My son spoke to me this morning. He told me that he was fine,” a jubilant Muhammad Hussain Sarang, father of Naeem said. "My abductors did not harm me. I am safe, Naeem told me," Sarang said trying to control his emotion over his son getting the freedom after being held hostage for about a month.