The fate of the remaining 22 South Korean hostages held by the Taliban in Afghanistan is not known after the expiry of a deadline set by the group for today.
A Taliban spokesman had earlier said they would kill the Christian hostages if rebel prisoners were not released by the Afghan government by noon (7.30GMT).
But one provincial official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Taliban had extended the deadline to allow face-to-face talks with the government. The Taliban could not be reached for comment about the fate of the captives and about the reported extension.
Accusing the government of "killing time and playing tricks", a Taliban spokesman had said earlier they would kill the captives if rebel prisoners were not released by the Afghan government by today.
The Taliban have already killed the leader of the 23 volunteers they snatched from a bus on the main highway south of the capital Kabul last week, but several previous deadlines have passed without them carrying out their threats.
The Taliban spokesman said Afghan authorities had asked for more time after the insurgents presented the government with a list of eight prisoners it wanted released.
"We are waiting for them," the spokesman said. "We have given them a list of eight prisoners and if they are not released we won't have any other option than to start killing the hostages."
South Korean chief presidential national security adviser, Baek Jong-chun, is expected to arrive in Afghanistan later today to step up efforts to free the hostages.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai has pledged not to swap prisoners for hostages after being criticised for releasing five Taliban from jail in March in exchange for an Italian reporter.
One German and four Afghans snatched separately are also still being held hostage by the Taliban.