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New York Times reporter escapes Taliban captors

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 by climbing over a wall, the newspaper said on Saturday.

David S. Rohde was abducted on November 10 along with an Afghan reporter colleague and a driver south of here.

He had been travelling through Logar province to interview a Taliban commander, but was apparently intercepted and taken by other militants on the way.

The Times reported that Mr. Rohde and Afghan reporter Tahi Ludin on Friday climbed over the wall of a compound where they were held captive in the North Waziristan region of Pakistan.

The two then found a Pakistani Army scout, who led them to a nearby base, the Times said. On Saturday, the two were flown to the U.S. military base in Bagram.

A U.S. military spokeswoman, Lt. Cmdr. Chrstine Sidenstricker, said the military had not been involved. She could not say whether the State Department or the CIA had flown the two to the military facility.

Mr. Rohde, reported to be in good health, said his driver chose to remain with their captors and join the Taliban. — AP

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