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A foreign correspondent writing for the UK's Guardian newspaper and two Afghan journalists held hostage for six days in Afghanistan have been released. Iraqi Ghaith Abdul-Ahad and his two colleagues were captured last week by an armed gang in Kunar province, a mountainous region bordering Pakistan. The Guardian website said all three were "exhausted but in good spirits". The journalists had been planning to interview militia in what is one of the country's most dangerous regions. In a statement, the newspaper said an emergency plan was put in place as soon as it became aware of the situation on Friday. The journalists spent much of the six days on the move in cold and snowy conditions, surviving on soup, tea and bread, according to the paper. The kidnapping was not publicised to protect the three men, although the Guardian was in regular contact with their families. The identity of two of the journalists is not being published over fears for their future safety. Alan Rusbridger, editor-in-chief of the Guardian, said: "We're very relieved that the three hostages have been released. "It has been an ordeal for them, and difficult for all involved, including their families. "The kidnapping is another illustration of the dangers facing journalists trying to report in many difficult parts of the world. "We're delighted the situation has been resolved relatively quickly and that the men are safe. "While we can't name them we would like to thank some particularly brave Afghan colleagues who went to extraordinary lengths to help secure their release."