Kathmandu, Oct 21: Maoist rebels have released a British Army officer and four Nepalese officials who were abducted from a British Army recruitment camp, police said today. The Maoists released the hostages, including Brigadier General of British Army John Paul, kidnapped from their camp in Lekhani village of Baglung district, two days after they were abducted on Sunday.

The five-member team was in the village to recruit Nepali youths for British Gurkha Army. Earlier reports had stated that two British Army officials had been abducted by the rebels. Meanwhile, the Maoists have also released ex-Deputy Home Minister and Nepali Congress leader Mahendra Yadav, who was abducted by the rebels some eleven days ago.

Yadav was abducted by a group of armed Maoists from his house at Khuttapipra village in Mahottari district in central Terai on October 10. Bureau Report