Tuesday, November 22 2005 15:18 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kabul: An Afghan driver abducted along with an Indian road worker by suspected Taliban militants have been released unharmed and is being questioned by local intelligence agents, officials said today (Nov 22, 2005).

The driver, kidnapped on Saturday with the Indian and two Afghan police guards in southwestern Nimroz province, was released yesterday, said interior ministry spokesman Mohammad Yousuf Stanizai.

"The Afghan driver was released yesterday in Nimroz and he is being questioned by intelligence now," Stanizai said.

Nimroz's acting governor Haji Mohammad Katib said the driver was released by Taliban militants in the province's Delaram district.

"He is sound and healthy. Having him will help to find clues on the whereabouts of the Indian roadworker," he told sources.

A purported Taliban spokesman, Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, claimed responsibility on behalf of the group for the abduction and said Sunday the Indian would be killed unless the firm for which he was working leaves the country.

He was employed by Border Roads Organisation. "Investigation and efforts are ongoing to find the Indian national," Katib said.

The Taliban spokesman also said Sunday religious scholars of the conservative movement would meet to decide the fate of the Indian captured with the Afghan.