ISLAMABAD, Dec 23: Authorities of the Zabul province in southwest Afghanistan are negotiating with rebels for the release of two Indian engineers kidnapped two weeks ago, a report said on Tuesday.

“We are holding talks with the kidnappers only at Zabul level and are hopeful of a positive outcome (in this connection),” provincial deputy governor Maulvi Mohammad Omer was quoted as saying in a report by the Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press.

“According to our information, the Indians have been kept in Khak-e-Afghan area, (in the) north part of the province,” Omer said.—AFP