One of the two German engineers taken hostage in Afghanistan July 18 is alive but in critical condition, German ZDF TV channel reported Monday. It said it was in contact with the hostage by phone Sunday, adding that the body of the second hostage, killed Friday, would be repatriated soon.
A German Foreign Ministry spokesman confirmed earlier that his body had bullet wounds, but said it was too early to talk about the cause of death.
The two German engineers worked for the Kabul-based Kabul Berlin Korporation, which is building a dam in Afghanistan.
Chancellor Angela Merkel earlier defended Germany's troop deployment in Afghanistan.
"We will not react to the Taliban's demands. We will do everything responsibly, and we will not be blackmailed," she said on ARD public television, adding that Germany is determined to see through its mission in Afghanistan despite the hostage taking.
About 3,000 German soldiers are serving in Afghanistan as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force. - RIA Novosti
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