Italians’ captors killed in rescue

At least nine kidnappers were killed when Italian commandos aided by other NATO forces and aircraft rescued two kidnapped Italian intelligence operatives in a daring ambush and gun battle.

Although both the freed Italians were wounded, Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi said the operation was a success.

Defense Minister Arturo Parisi said Italian forces were aided in the rescue by British, German and U.S. forces.

Elsewhere, two North Atlantic Treaty Organization soldiers serving with Spain’s contingent and an Iranian serving as their interpreter were killed by a land mine, the Spanish defense minister said.