Gunmen Abduct Four Aid Workers In Northeastern Afghanistan

Gunmen abduct four aid workers in northeastern Afghanistan < br />

2012-05-25 04:21:44 GMT+7 (ICT)

SHALKHAZAR VILLAGE, AFGHANISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- A group of armed men abducted four aid workers, including two foreign women, in northeastern Afghanistan on Tuesday, officials said on Wednesday. No one has claimed responsibility so far.

The staff members of the Swiss-based non-governmental organization (NGO) Medair, which carries out relief and rehabilitation work, were abducted by a group of unidentified men while they were visiting a relief project site in Shalkhazar village in the Yaftal District of Badakhshan province.

"Medair is working closely with the relevant authorities and doing all we can to secure the safe and swift release of our colleagues," said Medair spokesperson Aurélien Demaurex. "We have informed the families and are in close contact with them. Our thoughts are with our colleagues and their families."

The staff members, who have not been identified, have reportedly been working in the child nutrition field over the past five years. A district police official said on Thursday that a search operation is underway to find the kidnapped aid workers.

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