KABUL - Nineteen individuals who were part of the group of 31 Hazara travelers kidnapped along the Kabul-Kandahar highway over two months ago were reunited with their families on Thursday. Local leaders have indicated eight or nine more of the abducted travelers are still alive, but in critical condition.

The former second vice-president of Hamid Karzai, Mohammad Karim Khalili, has been heavily involved in negotiating the release of the hostages, who were taken by militants in Zabul province. In a recent meeting with Khalili, tribal elders from Zabul and Ghazni provinces reportedly indicated that the abductors are ready to release the remaining hostages.

"If efforts aren't accelerated for the safe release of the hostages, the warm weather in Zabul could endanger the lives of the remaining hostages and it is a matter of serious concern to us," Khalili said on Thursday.

Quoting tribal elders from Zabul, Khalili said that eight to nine passengers out of the eleven remaining hostages are known to still be alive. "We will have good news, God willing, the hostages will be released," he added.

For the families of the hostages, local tribal elders have also been a crucial point of contact for getting updates on the conditions of their loved ones. "Tribal elders told us that the hostages are in good health and talks are continuing in Zabul for their release," said Syed Jawad, the father of one of the remaining hostages.

The families of those who remain in captivity continue to camp out near the Presidential Palace in Kabul in hopes of putting further pressure on national leaders to gain their release. "We and our passengers are forgotten following the release of 19 passengers," another hostage's father named Abdul Hussain said. "We will remain in the tent until the release of the remaining hostages."

Nineteen hostages out of a total 31 were released two weeks ago in a prisoner exchange, where the Afghan government gave the militants 26 prisoners. Those hostages who have been released and reunited with their families have declined to speak with the media until the rest of the hostages are freed. (Tolonews)