Since the men were abducted, there had been sporadic communication from them and from the kidnappers. Mulvihill expressed relief at the end of the ordeal and gratitude to the many people who offered information, advice and support.

“The family is so grateful to everyone who has helped — The New York Times, the US government, all the others,” Mulvihill said. “Now we just hope to have a chance to reunite with him in peace.” “We’ve been married nine months,” she added. “And seven of those, David has been in captivity.”

Both Keller and Rohde’s family declined to discuss details of the efforts to free the captives, except to say that no ransom was paid and no Taliban or other prisoners were released.