Police in northern Kunduz province of Afghanistan rescued an abducted German national nearly one and a half months after he went missing and was taken as hostage by gunmen.

The provincial police chief Syed Sarwar Hussaini said the German national identified as Stephan was rescued following a special military operation conducted earlier this morning, according to Khaama News Agency on Friday.

Hussaini further added that the operation was conducted by a special unit of the Afghan National Police (ANP) forces in Chardara district around 3:00 am.

He said the named individual was serving with the German Agency for International Development (GIZ) and was kidnapped by gunmen while he was travelling between Kunduz and Balkh provinces.

Kunduz is among the volatile provinces in northern Afghanistan where anti-government armed militants are actively operating and frequently carry out insurgency activities.

Hussaini said no suspect has been arrested in connection with the kidnapping case of the German national. It is believed that he was abducted by fighters affiliated with the Taliban militants group.