Afghan Kidnappers Release Guardian Journo

A Guardian reporter and two Afghan journalists are free after being captured six days ago by unknown Afghans while attempting to interview militia in a remote region, the paper reports. Ghaith Abdul-Ahad and his unnamed associates were taken hostage near Pakistan’s North-West Frontier province and spent most of their captivity on the move, subsisting on soup, bread, and tea. The paper is mum on the details of their release.

“We're delighted the situation has been resolved relatively quickly and that the men are safe,” the Guardian’s editor in chief says. “While we can't name them we would like to thank some particularly brave Afghan colleagues who went to extraordinary lengths to help secure their release.” Once the paper learned of the kidnapping, it sprung quickly into action, a spokesman says. “The Guardian has a comprehensive emergency plan to deal with such incidents.” (More Ghaith Abdul-Ahad stories.)