Kabul, Dec 24: Two Indian engineers released nearly three weeks after they were abducted in central Afghanistan while working on a key road project said today that they were not mistreated and appeared in good health. Interior Minister Ali Ahmad Jalali said the men were released last night and that no ransom payment was made.
``Finally, the people who abducted them agreed to free them without conditions,'' said Jalali. ``I think these people made a good decision to free our friends.''
The government had said that Taliban rebels were believed responsible for the kidnapping, and Taliban spokesmen had called several news organizations claiming responsibility. But Jalali today said the kidnappers had no connection to leaders of the ousted hardline government.
``The people who kidnapped them had no relations with the leadership of the Taliban who claimed that they were responsible,'' Jalali said. ``They were local people and had no relationship with them.''
Jalali said the government negotiated the handover through village elders and local tribal leaders.
``We're delighted the boys are back with us,'' Indian ambassador Vivek Katju said at a brief press conference here.
The two engineers - identified by their company as Murali and Varadayya - appeared healthy but nervous at the press conference. They said their abductors did not mistreat them, and that they were moved frequently during their captivity.
The engineers were abducted December 6 during a shopping trip in Zabul province, where they were working on the US$270-million refurbishment of the Kabul-Kandahar highway. Bureau Report