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1st LD Writethru: Indian aid worker released by Taliban in Afghanistan

Xinhua, February 22, 2015 Adjust font size:

An Indian aid worker has been released by the Taliban after months of negotiations between the Indian government and the kidnappers, said a foreign ministry spokesman Sunday.

"The government has secured the release of Father Alexis Prem Kumar and he will be back to India soon," said the spokesman.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was delighted at the release of Kumar, who has been kept in captivity for eight months in eastern Afghanistan city Herat.

"Delighted at securing the release of Indian Jesuit priest Father Alexis Prem Kumar from captivity in Afghanistan. Have spoken to Father Alexis Prem Kumar. Informed happy family of Father Alexis Prem Kumar of his safe return after eight months in captivity," Modi tweeted.

Kumar, who is from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, was kidnapped June 2, 2014 in Afghan Herat province. Endi