Taliban release two western hostages in Afghanistan

Taliban sources present in the area confirmed release of the hostages

Afghanistan Taliban This two photo combination image taken from video released June 21, 2017 shows kidnapped professors Australian Timothy Weekes, top, and American Kevin King | AP

A local police ource in Kandahar, Afghanistan said, “This morning at around 10:00 am two American University professors were released in Nawbahar district of Zabul province. They were flown out of Zabul by American helicopters."

The Taliban released two Western hostages, held captive since 2016, in southern Afghanistan.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani had said that three high-ranking Taliban prisoners would be released in exchange for release of the two hostages, an Australian and an American, both professors who work for the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF).

Taliban sources present in the area confirmed release of Kevin King of the United States and Australian Timothy Weeks.

There was no immediate comment from the US embassy in Afghanistan.

The Taliban prisoners who are yet to be release are Anas Haqqani, who was seized in 2014 and whose older brother is the deputy Taliban leader and head of the Haqqani network, a notorious Taliban affiliate.

The other two are Haji Mali Khan, believed to be the uncle of Sirajuddin Haqqani, and Abdul Rashid, said to be the brother of Mohammad Nabi Omari, a member of the Taliban's political office in Qatar.

Afghan authorities say is a high-level player in the network. The Taliban has long demanded his release, insisting he is a student.