Taliban kidnap duo arrive back home

Two freed Swiss hostages have returned home in good condition following an eight month-long ordeal in Pakistan that left them in fear of their lives.

The couple, who were snatched by the Taliban last July, confirmed on their arrival at Zurich airport that they had escaped the clutches of their captors using their own initiative.

“We are very happy that after such a long period of captivity we could return to Switzerland,” they said in a statement after touching down on Saturday afternoon.

Their statement went on to say that they had endured some “unbelievably difficult moments” during which they feared they would be killed.

“After thinking about it for a long time we made the decision to dare an escape despite the great risks,” the couple’s statement  read. “That is why we are free today.”

After escaping the clutches of their captors, the couple made their way to a Pakistan army post on Thursday. Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burckhalter again insisted on Saturday that no ransom had been paid.

However, Burkhalter’s comments are at odds to those of both Taliban and government security forces sources that have suggested that a ransom was paid.

The canton Bern pair were kidnapped while travelling through Pakistan on holiday, raising questions about why they had chosen to drive through an area known as a Taliban stronghold.

The couple, a current and a former police officer aged 29 and 32, said in a statement that they had only undertaken their journey after “thorough preparation” and having gathered the best intelligence they could about the region.

“We are sorry that people went through so such bad emotions and worry,” their statement continued. “We would like to thank the people and authorities that did so much for us.”