KABUL — A New York Times reporter known for making investigative trips deep inside dangerous conflict zones escaped from militant captors after more than seven months in captivity, the newspaper said Saturday.
David S. Rohde was abducted Nov. 10, along with an Afghan reporter colleague and a driver, south of Kabul. He had been traveling through Logar province to interview a Taliban commander, but he was intercepted and taken by other militants on the way.
The Times reported that Rohde and Afghan reporter Tahi Ludin on Friday climbed over the wall of a compound where they were held captive in Pakistan’s North Waziristan region.
The two then found a Pakistani army scout, who led them to a nearby base. On Saturday, the two were flown to the U.S. military base in Bagram, the newspaper reported.
A U.S. military spokeswoman, Lt. Cmdr. Chrstine Sidenstricker, said the military had not been involved.
In Washington, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said the U.S. is "very pleased” that Rohde is safe and returning home.
Rohde was on leave from the Times when he was taken. He had traveled to Afghanistan to work on a book about the history of American involvement in Afghanistan when he went to Logar to interview a Taliban commander. Before setting out, he notified the Times’ bureau in Kabul on whom to notify if he did not return, the Times said.
by the associated press
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