The Afghan Taliban released crew of Punjab government helicopter which had crash landed in Logar province this month, Afghan media reported.

Intelligence agencies in Pakistan have confirmed the release, according to news circulating in Afghan media.

The Pakistan crew has been handed over to officials in Kurram Agency, reports stated.

On August 4 a Punjab government helicopter en-route Uzbekistan crash landed at Logar province in Afghanistan. All seven of its crew members were taken hostage by the Taliban.

Earlier, a senior Afghan Taliban commander, speaking on condition of anonymity, told news agency Reuters that the passengers — six Pakistanis and a Russian technician — were in their custody and that negotiations for their release were ongoing.

"They are being looked after, being provided tea, food, everything," he said. "We are in touch with the Pakistani officials. We conveyed to them that they are in safe hands."

Efforts were underway to recover the crew which included six Pakistanis and a Russian technician.

On the day of the incident, the army chief had also contacted top US commander in Afghanistan General John Nicholson asking for his international military coalition's help in recovering the men.