Taliban release 2 Pakistani journalists

ISLAMABAD—The Taliban has released two Pakistani journalists who were detained for several days in southern Afghanistan after entering Taliban-controlled territory without permission, a purported spokesman for the Islamic militia said Sunday.
Syed Saleem Shahzad, working for a Karachi based newspaper and Qamar Yousafzai, a reporter for various newspapers in southwestern Quetta, were last heard from in Afghanistan’s southern Kandahar province on Nov. 19.
Mohammed Hanif, a purported Taliban spokesman, said in an Pashtu language e-mail sent to The Associated Press that they were released Sunday morning. Hanif’s e-mail did not give details about where the men were released.
``They had been kept for two or three days as guests,’’ Hanif said. ``Journalists must contact Mujahedeen before entering their areas so their safety is ensured.’’
The Taliban announced Saturday that the two men had been detained and said they were safe and would be released Sunday morning.

—Online