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Taleban 'release two S Koreans' Taleban 'release two S Koreans'
(about 1 hour later)
Taleban militants in Afghanistan say they have freed two women from among the 21 South Korean hostages they are holding as a "gesture of goodwill". Taleban militants in Afghanistan say they have freed two women from among the 21 South Korean hostages they have been holding for more than three weeks.
Taleban negotiators, who have been holding talks with a South Korean delegation in the city of Ghazni, had said earlier that a deal could be near. A Taleban spokesman, Yousuf Ahmad, told the BBC the women were sick and had been released as a "sign of goodwill".
No Afghan or South Korean officials have been able to confirm the release.No Afghan or South Korean officials have been able to confirm the release.
The South Korean Christian aid workers were seized last month. Two have already been killed by the rebels. Mr Ahmadi has at times given false information, reports the BBC's Charles Haviland in Kabul. The Taleban have already killed two of the Koreans.
A Taleban spokesman, Yousuf Ahmadi, told the BBC the two women were sick and that the Taleban had freed them as a sign of goodwill. Taleban negotiators, who have been holding talks with a South Korean delegation in the city of Ghazni, had said earlier that a deal could be near.
However, Mr Ahmadi has at times given false information, reports the BBC's Charles Haviland in Kabul. The South Korean Christian aid workers were seized last month.
Another Taleban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahed, told AFP news agency the move would "show that we're honest in our talks and expect the government to be honest and free our prisoners".Another Taleban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahed, told AFP news agency the move would "show that we're honest in our talks and expect the government to be honest and free our prisoners".
Swap ruled outSwap ruled out
The announcement came after a second day of talks in the central city of Ghazni.The announcement came after a second day of talks in the central city of Ghazni.
The rebels are demanding the release of comrades held by the Afghan government. But the Afghan government, stung by criticism over a previous prisoner exchange, has ruled out a swap to secure the release of the Koreans.The rebels are demanding the release of comrades held by the Afghan government. But the Afghan government, stung by criticism over a previous prisoner exchange, has ruled out a swap to secure the release of the Koreans.
The original group of 23 - most of them women - was seized on 19 July as they travelled by bus on the main road from Kabul to Kandahar.The original group of 23 - most of them women - was seized on 19 July as they travelled by bus on the main road from Kabul to Kandahar.
The two men who were killed included the leader of the group.The two men who were killed included the leader of the group.
It is thought the South Korean aid workers are being held in a number of small groups in a village about 10km (six miles) from Ghazni.It is thought the South Korean aid workers are being held in a number of small groups in a village about 10km (six miles) from Ghazni.