By STANDARD REPORTER and BBC

The family of a Kenyan hostage freed from captivity in Afghanistan today has expressed their joy at their daughter’s dramatic rescue.

Ms Moragwa Oirere, a medic, is one of four aid workers freed at dawn in a daring operation authorised by British Prime Minister David Cameron. The four, including British national Helen Johnston and two Afghan civilians, had been kidnapped in Badakhshan province in northeast Afghanistan on May 22.

All four work for Medair, a humanitarian non-governmental organisation based near Lausanne, Switzerland.

In a note signed simply “Dr and Mrs Oirere”, Moragwa’s parents thanked the British government for the rescue of their daughter in an early morning raid today. British PM David Cameron said today the rescue operation was "extraordinarily brave” and “breath-taking”.

He said all four hostages were rescued safely, no British troops were injured and a number of Taliban and hostage-takers were killed. Mr Cameron added that he authorised a rescue attempt yesterday afternoon, after becoming increasingly concerned about the safety of Ms Johnston and her colleagues.

“We are greatly happy that the ordeal our daughter has gone through is over,” the Oirere family said in a statement released by the UK embassy in Nairobi. “Thanks to all those that have worked tirelessly and brought this to a safe conclusion. We specifically want to thank the British Government, the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Medair in Switzerland and all the people who have been praying for Moragwa’s safe release.”

The group were making their way on horseback to the remote, mountainous province of Badakhshan, in north-eastern Afghanistan, when they were captured. According to Nato sources, the four hostages were found in a cave today by the rescue team who arrived by helicopter under the cover of darkness. Lal Mohammad Ahmadzai, spokesman for security forces in northern Afghanistan, said the hostages were in a "good condition".

Gen John R Allen, Isaf commander said the mission "exemplifies our collective and unwavering commitment to defeat the Taliban".

"I'm extremely grateful to the Afghan authorities and proud of the Isaf forces that planned, rehearsed, and successfully conducted this operation."

A UK Foreign Office spokesman said Ms Johnston and Ms Moragwa were receiving support from British Embassy staff in Kabul, while the two Afghan nationals were returning to their families in Badakhshan.

Police in Badakhshan, which borders Tajikistan, China and Pakistan, described the gunmen as part of a criminal group which was taking advantage of the challenging terrain and the loose grip that Afghan security forces had on the area.

But the BBC's Quentin Sommerville, in Kabul, says heavy machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and AK-47s found during the raid suggest the kidnappers did have links to insurgent groups such as the Taliban.

In 2010, a group of foreign medical workers, including six Americans, were killed in Badakhshan in an attack blamed on insurgents.