QUETTA: The kidnapped official of the Afghan Consulate Quetta has reached his home on Saturday.

Afghan Consul General Quetta, Ghullam Muhammad Bahadur told reporters that Muhammad Hashim Ibrat, the kidnapped official of the Consulate has reached home. “Ibrat is safe and sound,” Bahadur said.

Armed militants abducted the diplomat on July 28 from Satellite Town area of the Balochistan capital when he was on his way to office from home. Ibrat remained in the captivity for more than a month.

However, an official of the Consulate, who requested anonymity, told Dawn.com that some important Taliban leaders were set free as result of Ibrat's release. “Taliban leaders were set free from Kandahar,” he claimed.

The Afghan government was in close contact with Pakistan for an unharmed recovery of the diplomat. Islamabad based Afghan ambassador was in regular contact with the Pakistani officials to ensure the recovery of Afghan official.

No group had claimed the responsibility for the abduction.

Incidents of kidnapping have increased in the troubled Balochistan province in general and Quetta city in particular.

Chief Minister Balochistan Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, while quoting a senior officer, revealed that 78 gangs involved in kidnapping and other subversive activities were operating in Quetta, plagued with sectarian violence and attacks by Baloch insurgents.