Afghan troops rescued five United Nations workers in a northern province one month after they were kidnapped by insurgents, officials said Tuesday.
Police spokesman Lal Mohammed Ahmadzai said the freed hostages were in good health, DPA reported.
"Afghan security forces launched a joint operation in Dana Ghori district of Baghlan province on Monday evening and freed five Afghans UN staff members," said General Murad Ali Murad, army chief for the northern region.
Murad said two soldiers and several insurgents died in the rescue.
Taliban fighters and the Hezbi Islami insurgent group both operate in the province.