Canadian Joshua Boyle and American Caitlan Coleman along with their children were freed this week during an operation involving Pakistani forces.
The couple were kidnapped in Afghanistan in 2012 and have in that time had three children.
They were reportedly held by the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani network.
According to Fox News, the operation that set Coleman, Boyle and their children free was undertaken by Pakistani forces based on actionable intelligence provided by US authorities, according to a statement by the ISPR.
US intelligence agencies had been tracking the hostages and shared the location with Pakistani counterparts when the hostages shifted into Pakistani territory Wednesday.
President Donald Trump appeared to hint at the news of Coleman’s release during a speech in Coleman’s home state of Pennsylvania on Wednesday.
“Something happened today, where a country that totally disrespected us called with some very, very important news,” Trump said.
“And one of my generals came in. They said, ‘You know, I have to tell you, a year ago they would’ve never done that.’ It was a great sign of respect. You’ll probably be hearing about it over the next few days. But this is a country that did not respect us. This is a country that respects us now. The world is starting to respect us again, believe me.”
The couple were last seen in a video released in December last year where they pleaded for their governments to help free them.
Coleman’s parents, Jim and Lyn Coleman, last heard from their son-in-law on Oct. 8, 2012, from an internet cafe in what Josh described as an “unsafe” part of Afghanistan, Fox News reported.
Source Tolonews
