Wang Ende, one of Chinese hostages, weeps when greeted by  his colleagues after freed unhurt. (Xinhua)

Pakistani forces launched an operation Thursday to free the two Chinese engineers held hostage in its western tribal belt, leaving one of the duo killed.

Wang Ende, 49, was seen step down of an aircraft that reached the Chakalala military base later on Thursday, unhurt, and the Chinese embassy confirmed Ende's safety.

Ende told reporters that he has made a phone-call talking to "every one" at home, a huge relief to the family, which has been in anxiety since his capture on Saturday.

Ende expressed the gratitude to the Chinese embassy for its efforts to secure his release, to the Chinese government and Chinese people for their concern over his safety.

The dead body of Wang Peng, the fellow victim, is expected to be sent to a military hospital in Rawalpindi, twin-city of the capital, later the day, said the embassy.

The other two hostages, one Pakistani policeman and one driver, were released by the captors prior to the raid, said a press release from the military's Interservices Public Relations.

All the five abductors were killed in the shoot-out with the Pakistani troops, the release said.

It said tribal elders, political and religious leaders all made hectic efforts for the safe release of the hostages.

Relatives of Abudullah Mahsud, the master-mind of the kidnapping, were also engaged in the rescue efforts, said the release, adding that as all the peaceful bids have failed, the security forces launched the operation.

The military operation started at around 12:00 local time and finished about 15 minutes later.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri called on Chinese Ambassador Zhang Chunxiang Thursday afternoon to express regret that the operation had not successfully rescued both hostages.

Zhang displayed his understanding of the efforts having been made by the Pakistani side and called for a joint effort by the two sides to handle the aftermath of the tragedy properly.

He also urged the Pakistani minister to take all necessary measures to beef up the protection of other Chinese expatriates there.

(Xinhua)

operation: activity by a military or naval force (as a maneuver or campaign)（軍事行動）

captor : a person who captures and holds people or animals（捉捕者）

shoot-out: a fight involving shooting small arms with the intent to kill or frighten（槍戰(zhàn)）

beef up : make strong or stronger（加強(qiáng)，補(bǔ)充）