An unknown armed group freed the last three of 13 abducted de-miners in Afghanistan's south-eastern province of Paktia, a police official said Thursday. The last three de-miners were released late Wednesday night with help and mediation of local elders, Esmatullah Alizai, police chief of Paktia province, told Deutsche Press-Agentur dpa, adding, "it is not clear who ... was behind this drama." The 13 de-miners of the Afghan Technical Consultant (ATC) non governmental organization were kidnapped on September 6 as they traveled in two cars. The team abducted included two doctors, eight mine clearers, drivers and assistants.
