Dutch aid worker, driver kidnapped

Afghanistan (AP):

Gunmen seized a Dutch aid worker and his Afghan driver in northern Afghanistan yesterday, a local government official said. Four gunmen took the two men out of their car in Takhar province and drove them west toward neighbouring Kunduz province, said Takhar Governor Abdul Jabar Taqwa, quoting witnesses. The two were working with an aid group helping disabled people. Police and intelligence officials are trying to track the group and the Kunduz authorities have been informed, Taqwa said. Dutch Foreign Ministry spokesman Bart Rijs confirmed a Dutch man and his Afghan driver had been kidnapped, but gave few details and did not release the names of the men or the aid group. "Our embassy in Kabul is in constant contact with the Afghan authorities and the Nether-lands will support the Afghan authorities, wherever necessary and possible, to bring this case to a positive conclusion," Rijs said.