The troops , equipped with advanced weapons , including night vision equipment , launched the mission about 4 miles from the cave , according to the Yemeni government . Militants were seen moving hostages `` chained and covered with blankets '' into pickups . The militants then drove the vehicles to a nearby village where they dumped their captives in an abandoned house before setting it on fire. The mission , launched 4 miles from the cave , killed all 7 kidnappers , Yemen says . But former hostages say five other captives were moved before rescuers arrived .
Militants were seen moving hostages `` chained and covered with blankets '' into pickups . The militants then drove the vehicles to a nearby village where they dumped their captives in an abandoned house before setting it on fire. The mission , launched 4 miles from the cave , killed all 7 kidnappers , Yemen says . But former hostages say five other captives were moved before rescuers arrived .