Peter Reynolds, 80, and his wife Barbie, 76, returned to the UK on Saturday (September 20) after being held in Afghanistan by the Taliban for nearly eight months. The couple arrived in London on a flight from Doha, Qatar, where they had received medical care following their release on Friday (September 19). Qatar played a pivotal role in securing their release, especially as concerns about their health grew.&nbsp;Upon landing at Heathrow Airport, Barbie smiled as she walked with their daughter, Sarah Entwhistle, and Richard Lindsay, Britain’s special representative to Afghanistan, though the couple did not engage with waiting reporters. The couple’s family expressed immense relief and joy at their return, with a statement highlighting the crucial role of diplomacy, empathy, and global cooperation in securing their freedom. Their children said that, while their parents’ recovery would take time, the day marked a moment of great happiness and hope.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistani-tiktok-star-sana-yousaf-s-alleged-killer-formally-charged-in-court-1758376800041">Pakistani TikTok star Sana Yousaf’s alleged killer formally charged in court</a>&nbsp;The Reynolds were arrested earlier this year in February while traveling back to their home in Bamiyan province. They were initially held in a high-security facility and later transferred to Kabul’s intelligence services, where they remained in poor conditions. The couple, who have been living in Afghanistan for nearly 20 years and hold Afghan citizenship, have been involved in various educational programs for women and children. They married in Kabul in 1970, and even after the Taliban returned to power in 2021, they chose to stay despite the British government’s advice to leave.&nbsp;Though the Taliban has not provided an explanation for their detention, Barbie Reynolds expressed gratitude for their treatment while in captivity and reiterated their strong ties to Afghanistan. The couple expressed a desire to return to the country they call home if circumstances allow. In July, UN experts had urged the Taliban to release the couple, warning of serious health risks. After months of advocacy from the family, the couple was finally freed. Taliban spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi confirmed their release, saying they had been released after completing a judicial process.&nbsp;UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed relief at the couple’s safe return, noting that the news would bring immense comfort to their family. The UK government continues to advise against travel to Afghanistan due to the ongoing risks and limited consular support.

British couple freed after months in Taliban custody, reunite with family in UK

Peter Reynolds, 80, and his wife Barbie, 76, returned to the UK on Saturday (September 20) after being held in Afghanistan by the Taliban for nearly eight months. The couple arrived in London on a flight from Doha, Qatar, where they had received medical care following their release on Friday (September 19). Qatar played a pivotal role in securing their release, especially as concerns about their health grew. Upon landing at Heathrow Airport, Barbie smiled as she walked with their daughter, Sarah Entwhistle, and Richard Lindsay, Britain’s special representative to Afghanistan, though the couple did not engage with waiting reporters. The couple’s family expressed immense relief and joy at their return, with a statement highlighting the crucial role of diplomacy, empathy, and global cooperation in securing their freedom. Their children said that, while their parents’ recovery would take time, the day marked a moment of great happiness and hope. Also Read: Pakistani TikTok star Sana Yousaf’s alleged killer formally charged in court The Reynolds were arrested earlier this year in February while traveling back to their home in Bamiyan province. They were initially held in a high-security facility and later transferred to Kabul’s intelligence services, where they remained in poor conditions. The couple, who have been living in Afghanistan for nearly 20 years and hold Afghan citizenship, have been involved in various educational programs for women and children. They married in Kabul in 1970, and even after the Taliban returned to power in 2021, they chose to stay despite the British government’s advice to leave. Though the Taliban has not provided an explanation for their detention, Barbie Reynolds expressed gratitude for their treatment while in captivity and reiterated their strong ties to Afghanistan. The couple expressed a desire to return to the country they call home if circumstances allow. In July, UN experts had urged the Taliban to release the couple, warning of serious health risks. After months of advocacy from the family, the couple was finally freed. Taliban spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi confirmed their release, saying they had been released after completing a judicial process. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed relief at the couple’s safe return, noting that the news would bring immense comfort to their family. The UK government continues to advise against travel to Afghanistan due to the ongoing risks and limited consular support.

British couple Peter and Barbie Reynolds, detained by the Taliban for nearly eight months, returned to the UK and reunited with their family members

South African special police unit Hawks have arrested an Indian-origin woman and her partner, both allegedly linked to ISIS, on charges of abducting a British couple.

Fatima Patel and Safydeen Aslam Del Vecchio also face charges of robbery and theft after they went on a spending spree using the couple&#39;s&nbsp;credit cards, building up a stash of jewellery, camping equipment and electronic devices which were found at a remote location where an ISIS flag was being flown.

The Hawks declined to provide any further information due to the sensitive nature of the case as the search continues for the couple whose vehicle was found abandoned more than 300 kms away from where they were last seen on February 9.

But the weekly Sunday Times, quoting a charge sheet after their court appearance, reported that Patel and Del Vecchio also stand accused of contravening the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorism and Related Activities Act by hoisting an ISIS flag at a modest homestead in a rural area.

Del Vecchio also faces another terrorism-related charge for allegedly participating in &quot;extremist web forums that support ISIS and offering to supply phone numbers and sim cards that are not traceable.&quot;

Yousha Tayob, the lawyer representing Patel and Del Vecchio, confirmed that the pair had appeared in the court and were remanded in custody at Westville Prison in KwaZulu-Natal province.

The incident had prompted the British government to issue a travel advisory about possible terrorist attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa, but local Muslim organisations have dismissed this as an &quot;overreaction&quot;.

Ebrahim Deen of the Afro-Middle East Centre told the weekly that South African Muslims posed no threat to travellers and that the incident was more related to crime than an ISIS attack.

&quot;Muslims are largely integrated in (South African) society, are not disillusioned and they face little discrimination like in Europe and elsewhere,&quot; he said.

Martin Ewi of the Institute for Security Studies said South Africa was regarded as a &quot;logistics base&quot; for terror cells in transit, and is not traditionally a target for attacks, although the arrests of Patel and Del Vecchio confirmed the presence of an active terror cell in South Africa.

&quot;We in the counter terror fraternity suspected that they were working as members of an active cell, and the kidnapping will confirm the presence of an active IS cell,&quot; Ewi said.&nbsp;

Fatima Patel and Safydeen Aslam Del Vecchio also face charges of robbery and theft after they went on a spending spree using the couple's credit cards

South African special police unit Hawks have arrested an Indian-origin woman and her partner, both allegedly linked to ISIS, on charges of abducting a British couple. Fatima Patel and Safydeen Aslam Del Vecchio also face charges of robbery and theft after they went on a spending spree using the couple's credit cards, building up a stash of jewellery, camping equipment and electronic devices which were found at a remote location where an ISIS flag was being flown. The Hawks declined to provide any further information due to the sensitive nature of the case as the search continues for the couple whose vehicle was found abandoned more than 300 kms away from where they were last seen on February 9. But the weekly Sunday Times, quoting a charge sheet after their court appearance, reported that Patel and Del Vecchio also stand accused of contravening the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorism and Related Activities Act by hoisting an ISIS flag at a modest homestead in a rural area. Del Vecchio also faces another terrorism-related charge for allegedly participating in "extremist web forums that support ISIS and offering to supply phone numbers and sim cards that are not traceable." Yousha Tayob, the lawyer representing Patel and Del Vecchio, confirmed that the pair had appeared in the court and were remanded in custody at Westville Prison in KwaZulu-Natal province. The incident had prompted the British government to issue a travel advisory about possible terrorist attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa, but local Muslim organisations have dismissed this as an "overreaction". Ebrahim Deen of the Afro-Middle East Centre told the weekly that South African Muslims posed no threat to travellers and that the incident was more related to crime than an ISIS attack. "Muslims are largely integrated in (South African) society, are not disillusioned and they face little discrimination like in Europe and elsewhere," he said. Martin Ewi of the Institute for Security Studies said South Africa was regarded as a "logistics base" for terror cells in transit, and is not traditionally a target for attacks, although the arrests of Patel and Del Vecchio confirmed the presence of an active terror cell in South Africa. "We in the counter terror fraternity suspected that they were working as members of an active cell, and the kidnapping will confirm the presence of an active IS cell," Ewi said.

South Africa: ISIS-linked Indian-origin woman, partner arrested for kidnapping British couple

A British couple was attacked Tuesday in Bihar.&nbsp;

The couple were camping on the banks of the Ganga in Pandarak in Patna district.&nbsp;

The couple said they were attacked by two men with sticks, that the men misbehaved with&nbsp;them, and tried to rob them.&nbsp;

The couple said they&nbsp;&quot;somehow crossed the river&quot; and reached the police.&nbsp;

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The 2 came with weapons &amp; sticks, misbehaved &amp; tried to loot us. We somehow crossed the river &amp; sought help from police: Matthew <a href="https://t.co/MV8YlRCfxW">pic.twitter.com/MV8YlRCfxW</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/927748549579698177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The Patna SSP said the men were arrested within two hours.&nbsp;

&quot;It will be seen that such incidents do not recur,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

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The men were arrested within 2 hours. A speedy trial will be done and it will be seen that such incidents do not recur: SSP Patna <a href="https://t.co/BAjtqxYKq0">pic.twitter.com/BAjtqxYKq0</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/927748855281598464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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This is the third attack on foreign tourists in the past few weeks.&nbsp;

A German tourist was attacked at&nbsp;Robertsganj railway station last Saturday by a railway employee. The employee has since accused the German -- Holger Eric -- of attacking him first.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/german-tourist-assaulted-in-up-days-after-attack-on-swiss-couple-23531" target="_blank">Also read: Days after attack on Swiss couple, German tourist assaulted in UP</a>

And on October 22, a Swiss couple was attacked in Fatehpur Sikri.

The attack was so vicious that it left him Quentin Jeremy Clerc, 24, with&nbsp;a fractured skull, a clot in his brain, a hearing impairment, a broken arm, and multiple bruises.&nbsp;

When his girlfriend, Marie Droz, also 24, intervened, she too was attacked.&nbsp;

She ended up with a broken arm.&nbsp;

Their attackers turned out to be minors.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sushma-swaraj-steps-in-after-swiss-couple-brutally-attacked-in-fatehpur-sikri-22931" target="_blank">Also read:&nbsp;Swiss couple attacked in Fatehpur Sikri: Police arrest one person; Opposition slams UP govt</a>

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/attacks-on-foreign-tourists-raise-questions-on-indian-ethos-22979" target="_blank">Also read:&nbsp;Attacks on Swiss couple raise questions on Indian ethics</a>

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The couple said they were attacked by two men with sticks, that the men misbehaved with?them, and tried to rob them

A British couple was attacked Tuesday in Bihar. The couple were camping on the banks of the Ganga in Pandarak in Patna district. The couple said they were attacked by two men with sticks, that the men misbehaved with them, and tried to rob them. The couple said they "somehow crossed the river" and reached the police. The 2 came with weapons & sticks, misbehaved & tried to loot us. We somehow crossed the river & sought help from police: Matthew pic.twitter.com/MV8YlRCfxW — ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2017 × The Patna SSP said the men were arrested within two hours. "It will be seen that such incidents do not recur," he added. The men were arrested within 2 hours. A speedy trial will be done and it will be seen that such incidents do not recur: SSP Patna pic.twitter.com/BAjtqxYKq0 — ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2017 × This is the third attack on foreign tourists in the past few weeks. A German tourist was attacked at Robertsganj railway station last Saturday by a railway employee. The employee has since accused the German -- Holger Eric -- of attacking him first. Also read: Days after attack on Swiss couple, German tourist assaulted in UP And on October 22, a Swiss couple was attacked in Fatehpur Sikri. The attack was so vicious that it left him Quentin Jeremy Clerc, 24, with a fractured skull, a clot in his brain, a hearing impairment, a broken arm, and multiple bruises. When his girlfriend, Marie Droz, also 24, intervened, she too was attacked. She ended up with a broken arm. Their attackers turned out to be minors. Also read: Swiss couple attacked in Fatehpur Sikri: Police arrest one person; Opposition slams UP govt Also read: Attacks on Swiss couple raise questions on Indian ethics

Now, British couple attacked in Bihar

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British couple freed after months in Taliban custody, reunite with family in UK

South Africa: ISIS-linked Indian-origin woman, partner arrested for kidnapping British couple

Now, British couple attacked in Bihar