ISAF Special Forces Free Aid Workers In Afghanistan

June 02, 2012
International coalition officials say NATO special forces have freed four female aid workers held by militants in a cave in northern Afghanistan.

The NATO-led ISAF force said the hostages, including two Western women doctors and two Afghan colleagues, were rescued in a pre-dawn raid on June 2 after being held by militants for 11 days in the cave.

They had been kidnapped on May 22 in Badakhsan province.

The four work for Medair, a humanitarian nongovernmental organization based in Switzerland.

U.S. General John Allen, the top commander of American and NATO forces in Afghanistan, said that coalition troops conducted the rescue mission with the support of the Afghan Interior Ministry.

Afghan officials said five militants were killed during the operation. The aid workers appeared to be in good health.
Based on reporting by AFP, Reuters, and AP