SHINKO (Khyber Agency), Feb 21: Journalist Suhail Qalandar and his friend, who had been kidnapped 50 days ago, were freed on Wednesday from a house near the Shinko area of Bara tehsil.

Their release came as a result of joint operation launched by the political administration of Khyber Agency, Mehsud scouts and Khasadar force.

Suhail Qalandar, resident editor of Daily Express, Peshawar, and his friend Mohammad Niaz were kidnapped on the night of Jan 2. Political administration sources said that the kidnappers were shifting the journalist and his friend to another place when they were freed.

PPI adds: Speaking at a press conference in Peshawar, Suhail Qalandar said the kidnappers had threatened him with dire consequences if he did not stop writing against smugglers, kidnappers and mafia groups.