Afghan security forces release NY Times reporter kidnapped by Taliban

KABUL, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Afghan security forces conducted operation Tuesday night to free two reporters of the New York Times, who were captured by Taliban last Saturday in Kunduz province of northern Afghanistan, as a result, Stephen Farrell was released while the local employee Sultan Ahmad was killed during the clash, an official said on Wednesday.

Abdul Wahid Omarkhil, the district chief of Chadara, said that the security forces raided the hideout of Taliban militants late Tuesday evening and triggered a fierce fighting during which the local staff Sultan was killed.

He confirmed that the British national journalist Farrell has been freed.

The two reporters were kidnapped by Taliban militants while visiting the site of the deadly NATO air strike in Kunduz province last Saturday.