Gunmen kidnap two in Afghanistan

KABUL: The Afghan authorities are searching for an Australian and an American who were kidnapped by gunmen in the capital, Kabul.

The pair, believed to be affiliated to a Kabul university, were captured by four or five gunmen on a road late on Sunday. It was not clear who was responsible for the abduction.

The Australian embassy in Kabul confirmed one of its citizens had apparently been abducted.

“We continue to advise Australians not to travel to Afghanistan because of the extremely dangerous security situation, including the serious threat of kidnapping,” Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said.

The US State Department said it was aware of reports that an American had been kidnapped but had no other information.

Kidnapping is a major problem in Afghanistan with Afghans the most affected, although a number of foreigners have also been abducted in recent years.

An Indian aid worker was abducted in Kabul in June and released the following month.

At least two other foreigners, from Germany and the Netherlands, were taken from the same neighbourhood last year.

Those, bothwomen, were eventually released unharmed. The police say the kidnappings were probably motivated by money. The police have advised foreigners to travel with guards or avoid leaving their homes. – Reuters