Afghan gov't secures release of 19 hostages: president

President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani said on Monday that 19 hostages, who were part of a group of people kidnapped in southern Afghanistan in February, were released.

"It is a matter of pleasure to announce the release of our 19 countrymen from kidnappers' clutch. They are the guests of the government in Ghazni province and would soon be transported to Kabul," Ghani told a press conference.

Unidentified gunmen intercepted two buses in the southern Zabul province in late February and took 31 passengers to an unknown location.

Although no group has claimed of responsibility for the abduction, security officials didn't rule out the involvement of Taliban and militants loyal to the extremist outfit of the Islamic State.

The president, however, denied paying ransom for the release of the abductees.

"No money has been paid for the release of our countrymen," he said. "The government policy is against the swap of criminals." Endi