Hyderabad: Expressing happiness over the peaceful end of the kidnap episode of its two workers in Afghanistan, Seenaiah and Company (Projects) Ltd today (Dec 24, 2003) said workers are safe and presently with the Governor of Shazijoy.

The two Indians - P Murali and G Varadayya - kidnapped by suspected Taliban rebels nearly three weeks ago, were freed this morning, Shah Mahmoud Miakhel, a close aide to Afghan Interior Minister Ali Ahmad Jalali said in Afghanistan.

"The workers are safe and presently with the Governor of Shazijoy and are expected to be handed over to Indian Embassy officials in Kabul later in the day," company MD B Seenaiah told reporters in Hyderabad.

Murali and Varadaiah of Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, hired by the company for the construction of 85 kms stretch of Kabul-Kandahar highway, were abducted on December 6 by Taliban militants when they went for shopping in a company pickup van without security.

Seenaiah said his company will continue to work in Afghanistan till its contract is completed.