42 abducted Afghan civilians freed

Forty-two Afghan civilians abducted by Islamic State (IS) militants in Nangarhar province have been released after mediation by local authorities and tribal elders, an official said on Sunday.

The hostages, all men, were kidnapped around four months ago in the Panchir-Agam district and then moved to border areas controlled by the IS, where they were released on Saturday, the official told Efe news.

The 42 men, who had been held in two terrorist prisons, are in good health and have been sent home to reunite with their families, he added.