Kidnapped British journalist released in Pakistan (Lead, Changing dateline)

ISLAMABAD - A British journalist of Pakistani origin abducted by Taliban militants in Pakistan’s restive tribal region has been released, the British High Commission in Islamabad confirmed Thursday.

Asad Qureshi was kidnapped while he was travelling to North Waziristan, one of the seven tribal districts, with a retired military officer Khalid Khwaja and a former intelligence officer Amir Sultan, known by the code name Colonel Imam, in April.

Qureshi was working on a documentary for Britain’s Channel 4.

“Yes, we can confirm that Mr Asad Qureshi has been freed. He is in good health,” said George Sherriff, a spokesman for the British High Commission in Islamabad.

Sherriff refused to give any further details about how and when Qureshi was released or whether his freedom was secured through a deal with the militants.

The Taliban had demanded the release of several militants in exchange for the men’s freedom.

The Taliban-linked militant group Asian Tigers killed Khwaja weeks after the abduction and dumped his body near Miranshah, the main city in North Waziristan.

The fate of Colonel Imam, who calls himself the mentor of Taliban leader Mullah Omar, is not known.

In late August, the kidnappers clashed over whether Colonel Imam should be released or killed, and exchanged fire. A known Taliban commander, who used the alias Dr Usman, died together with five other fighters from both sides.