According to local authorities in north-eastern Badakhshan province, Taliban militants have released 10 Afghan national army soldiers who were abducted in Wardoj district.
District governor for Wardoj confirming the report said the Afghan army service members were released following negotiations of local tribal elders with the Taliban militants.
Badakhshan is among the peaceful provinces in north-eastern Afghanistan however Taliban militants have recently increased their insurgency activities in a number of its districts specifically in Wardoj district.
A major military offensive was launched by Afghan security forces early this month where 80 militants were killed and over 110 others were injured.
The Afghan national army soldiers were abducted by Taliban in late March during a military operation. A doctor was also among the those taken hostage by Taliban militants.
Earlier Taliban also abducted 20 Afghan national army soldiers and killed 16 of them while the remaining were released following negotiations by local tribal elders.
