Officials say four kidnapped Afghans working for a French development organization have been released in northern Afghanistan.

Authorities in Faryab province said Taliban militants released the aid workers Tuesday after local elders intervened on their behalf.

The staff members of the aid group ACTED were abducted Monday as they drove through the area.

The Associated Press quotes ACTED's country director as saying that no money was paid for the release of the aid workers.

ACTED works primarily in the fields of rural development, civil society and agriculture. The kidnapped workers reportedly were returning from conducting hygiene training at a local mosque.