Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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September 24, 2007

Two Italian Soldiers Freed by Rescue Mission in Afghanistan
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=199CC81:A6F02AD83191E160EF29A488A83224619574F7DCC14957C0 Both soldiers were
wounded, one seriously; there is no immediate word on the fate of two
missing Afghan staff members who were with the troops when they were
kidnapped while on patrol in Herat province Italian officials say two
soldiers from Italy have been rescued by a military operation in the
western part of Afghanistan, two days after they were kidnapped.

Officials say the soldiers were freed early Monday by NATO-led
forces.  Both of the men were wounded, one seriously.  It was not
immediately clear whether they were wounded during the rescue
operation.

At least five of their abductors were reported killed during the raid.

There is no immediate word on the fate of two missing Afghan staff
members who were with the troops when they were kidnapped while on
patrol in Herat province. 

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.




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