Hostages freed from Taliban hands

- Afghan special forces have freed more than sixty prisoners who were being held by the Taliban in a house in the southern province of Helmand. At least two rebels were slain in the action and several injured or put in prison. The freed hostages were transferred to Kandahar, the governor of Helmand said Friday.

During a night action with helicopters raided the house special forces in Naw Zad and managed to free the prisoners, said a statement from the NATO support mission in Kabul. Coalition forces supported the attack with advice and assistance, but gave no further details.

The Taliban have controlled for months of battles over large parts of Helmand and government troops expelled from several districts.