Date:19/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/19/stories/2008051961460100.htm

Front Page

Afghan security forces free kidnapped Indian

Vinay Kumar

He was rescued along with Nepalese citizen in overnight raid

— Photo: AFP

FREEDOM AT LAST: Indian national Muhammad Naeem (left) and Nepalese national Gurong Karna Bahudur after being released on Sunday.

NEW DELHI: An Indian national, kidnapped by militants in Afghanistan nearly a month ago, was freed on Sunday following an operation by the security forces in that country, official sources here said.

He was in good condition, the sources said. Muhammad Naeem, 40, was captured along with a Nepalese citizen, Gurong Karna Bahadur, on April 21. The men, contracted to supply logistics to Afghan police training camps, were kidnapped while they were travelling in western Adraskan district bordering Iran. However, their Afghan driver was let off by the abductors.

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

According to an agency report, the men were undergoing medical check-up. Taliban militants, often blamed for such abductions, never claimed responsibility.

Agencies report:

Intelligence forces located the place where the two had been held and launched a raid overnight, provincial intelligence chief Habibullah Habib was quoted as saying.

The head of the kidnapper group was arrested while efforts were on to round up other suspects.

Another Afghan official Sayed Ibrar Hashimi was quoted as saying that he did not believe any ransom was paid. The release of the duo was due to the efforts of the intelligence agency, the National Directorate of Security.

The Indian was “slightly ill” but both were physically and mentally fit and as a whole feeling well. The two said they had not been harmed during the captivity.

The parents of Mr. Naeem were elated. “We are very very happy. My son spoke to me this [Sunday] morning. He told me that he is fine,” a jubiliant Muhammad Hussain Sarang told PTI in Mangalore.

“My abductors did not harm me. I am safe, Naeem told me,” Mr. Sarang said.

Mr. Sarang thanked all those who helped in securing his son’s release.

Mr. Naeem has informed his father that he will return to Mumbai in about two days and then visit Mangalore along with his family.

Mr. Sarang said: “We are waiting to see him. His mother Chand Sultan is eager to see her son.”