This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/6943570.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Two South Koreans 'to be freed' Two South Koreans 'to be freed'
(about 4 hours later)
A senior Afghan official has said he expects two South Koreans being held by Taleban militants to be released by Monday evening.A senior Afghan official has said he expects two South Koreans being held by Taleban militants to be released by Monday evening.
Ghazni province governor Mirajuddin Pattan said the Taleban had "promised" to release two women aid workers.Ghazni province governor Mirajuddin Pattan said the Taleban had "promised" to release two women aid workers.
Earlier Taleban claims that the two hostages had been freed over the weekend proved to be untrue.Earlier Taleban claims that the two hostages had been freed over the weekend proved to be untrue.
The women - both of whom are ill - are among 21 South Korean aid workers kidnapped last month.The women - both of whom are ill - are among 21 South Korean aid workers kidnapped last month.
"The Taleban have promised us that they will release two of the female hostages on Monday," Mr Pattan was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency."The Taleban have promised us that they will release two of the female hostages on Monday," Mr Pattan was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.
Swap ruled out
A Taleban spokesman had told reporters on Saturday that the two had already been freed - but he later said the timing of the release was yet to be decided.A Taleban spokesman had told reporters on Saturday that the two had already been freed - but he later said the timing of the release was yet to be decided.
The same spokesman, Yusuf Ahmadi, has now said the two hostages will be freed at 1600 local time (1130 GMT) on Monday.
However, Mr Ahmadi is not always reliable and has at times given false information, reports the BBC's Charles Haviland in Kabul.
South Korean officials held direct talks with the Taleban over the weekend. The Taleban want their militants released from Afghan jails.South Korean officials held direct talks with the Taleban over the weekend. The Taleban want their militants released from Afghan jails.
The Afghan government, stung by criticism over a previous prisoner exchange, has ruled out a swap to secure the release of the Koreans.The Afghan government, stung by criticism over a previous prisoner exchange, has ruled out a swap to secure the release of the Koreans.
Taleban spokesman Yusuf Ahmadi on Sunday said the two ill hostages would be freed because of progress made during two days of talks in the central city of Ghazni. Mr Ahmadi on Sunday said the two ill hostages would be freed because of progress made during two days of talks in the central city of Ghazni.
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, including the leader of the group.The Taleban have already killed two of the Koreans, including the leader of the group.
The South Korean Christian aid workers were seized on 19 July.The South Korean Christian aid workers were seized on 19 July.
The original group of 23 - most of them women - was captured on the main road from Kabul to Kandahar.The original group of 23 - most of them women - was captured on the main road from Kabul to Kandahar.
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.