KABUL, Afghanistan

Forty-five out of the 49 men abducted by Taliban on Saturday from Afghanistan's Paktia province have been freed by security forces, officials said Sunday.

The kidnappings happened early Saturday morning when the militants occupied the main road in the Syed Karim district and searched all vehicles passing by.

Provincial Police Chief Zalmai Oryakhel said the men were released after an operation by security forces in the area.

The Taliban, however, claimed to have released the men by choice.

There are no confirmed reports about the condition of the remaining victims.