ISLAMABAD, May 18: Pakistans Ambassador to Afghanistan Tariq Azizuddin has thanked the government for ensuring his safe return and the people of the country for praying for him after his kidnapping.

“I remained in their custody for about three and a half months. They hit me on the head by rifle butts twice while kidnapping me,” he told DawnNews TV channel. Recounting details of his kidnapping, the ambassador said: “I was due in Kabul so I decided to drive in my official vehicle with my bodyguard and driver. About midway between Peshawar and Landi Kotal, my vehicle stopped suddenly. I saw a pick-up truck standing across the road. I later counted 16 militants carrying all sorts of weapons.”

He said the kidnappers shifted him to their vehicle and drove away. His captors shifted him thrice but he was accompanied by the same people.—APP