Two Pakistani engineers who were abducted by unknown gunmen in northern Jawzjan province last month, have been released by their captors, Afghan officials say. Local security officials said the two Pakistani engineers were abducted by gunmen nearly two months ago from Shebarghan city. Provincial police chief, Faqir Mohammad, on Thursday said the local tribal elders also played an important role in the freedom of the abducted Pakistani nationals.
Faqir Mohammad further added that preliminary reports suggest the captors have received a ransom against the freedom of the hostages. However, the officials of the construction firm where the two engineers were working have said that no ransom was paid against the freedom of the abducted engineers. The kidnappers killed the driver of the two engineers almost a week after they were abducted and left his body in Dasht-e-Laili area. The anti-government armed militant groups were blamed for the abduction of the Pakistani engineers along with their driver.