Abducted Indian woman Judith D'Souza rescued in Afghanistan

Judith D'Souza — an Indian national who was abducted in Afghanistan's Kabul on June 9 — has been rescued, India's external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj confirmed on Saturday. 

D'Souza, 40, was working as a senior technical advisor (gender) with the Aga Khan Foundation in Kabul.

The external affairs minister said that D'Souza would reach India by Saturday evening accompanied by Manpreet Vohra, the Ambassador of India to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

"I am happy to inform you that Judith D'souza has been rescued. Judith was abducted in Kabul on 9th June 2016," Swaraj tweeted early in the morning today.

Swaraj also thanked Afghan authorities for their "help and support" in securing Judith's release.

D’Souza was kidnapped from outside her office in Kabul on June 9.  

Judith’s family last month had approached Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting his intervention in ensuring that she is reunited with them. Following which Modi had urged the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to expedite efforts to secure Judith’s release.

According to an Indian Express report, Judith’s family last month had said they were satisfied by the government’s efforts.

“On a regular basis we have conversation with MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) officials thrice a day. They are very cooperative. They share with us some information which is only for the consumption of my parents and family. We can’t share that. But all I can say is, we are happy with the efforts made by the Indian and Afghanistan government to bring my sister back,” Judith’s brother Jerome told reporters.