Taliban say foreign prisoners in good health

A group of foreign civilians captured in eastern Afghanistan when their helicopter made an emergency landing are in good health, the Taliban said on Tuesday, as increased violence was reported around the country.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid told The Associated Press that the 11 captives were "being investigated," and denied reports that negotiations were underway for their release. The civilians have been tentatively identified as eight Turks, an Afghan translator and two pilots – one from Russia and the other from Kyrgyzstan. (AP)