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British Journalist Kidnapped in Pakistan Released


A British journalist abducted by militants in northwest Pakistan in March has been released.

The British High Commission in Islamabad confirmed Thursday that Asad Qureshi had been freed and was receiving consular help, but gave no further details.

Qureshi is a documentary filmmaker who also has Pakistani citizenship. He was abducted with two former Pakistani intelligence officers while traveling through the tribal areas along the Afghan border. He was believed to be working on a film about militancy.

The kidnappers killed one of the former officials, Khalid Khawaja. His body was found in North Waziristan in April. The fate of the other captive, Sultan Amir Tarar (also known as Colonel Imam), is not known. Both men were known to be sympathetic to the cause of Islamist militants.

A little-known group called the Asian Tigers claimed responsibility for the abductions. The group sent videos demanding that Pakistan release at least 160 Islamic militants in exchange for Qureshi's freedom.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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