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Aid women killed in Afghanistan Aid women killed in Afghanistan
(about 1 hour later)
Three female international aid workers have been shot dead along with their Afghan driver near Kabul.Three female international aid workers have been shot dead along with their Afghan driver near Kabul.
The women worked for the International Rescue Committee (IRC). It said one was Canadian, another was British-Canadian and the third was Trinidadian-American.The women worked for the International Rescue Committee (IRC). It said one was Canadian, another was British-Canadian and the third was Trinidadian-American.
A second Afghan driver was hurt when unidentified gunmen fired on the group as they drove through Logar province.A second Afghan driver was hurt when unidentified gunmen fired on the group as they drove through Logar province.
Aid agencies are frequently targeted in the Afghan conflict, with convoys attacked and staff abducted or killed.Aid agencies are frequently targeted in the Afghan conflict, with convoys attacked and staff abducted or killed.
International aid groups have been unable to operate in many southern provinces for some time because of insecurity. More recently, violence has been spreading to other areas. These extraordinary individuals were deeply committed to aiding the people of Afghanistan George Rupp,IRC president class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7555996.stm">Taleban at Kabul's doorstep
International aid groups have been unable to operate in many southern provinces for some time because of insecurity.
More recently, violence has been spreading to other areas.
Logar - which lies just to the south of the capital - had been relatively stable but has become increasingly violent in recent months.Logar - which lies just to the south of the capital - had been relatively stable but has become increasingly violent in recent months.
The BBC's Alastair Leithead in Kabul says the United Nations now classifies the province as high risk and that violence is encroaching on the capital.The BBC's Alastair Leithead in Kabul says the United Nations now classifies the province as high risk and that violence is encroaching on the capital.
BodiesBodies
The three women and their two Afghan colleagues were travelling from Gardez in the south-east to Kabul when they were attacked. They were in a two-vehicle convoy. They were American, Canadian and Irish Abdul Majid Latifi, Logar deputy police chief The three women and their two Afghan colleagues were travelling from Gardez in the south-east to Kabul when they were attacked.
Logar province's deputy police chief, Abdul Majid Latifi, said those killed had been travelling in two cars when another vehicle carrying armed men opened fire on them.Logar province's deputy police chief, Abdul Majid Latifi, said those killed had been travelling in two cars when another vehicle carrying armed men opened fire on them.
The bodies were taken to the governor's compound in the provincial capital, Puli Alam.The bodies were taken to the governor's compound in the provincial capital, Puli Alam.
The IRC said it was "stunned and profoundly saddened" by what had happened.The IRC said it was "stunned and profoundly saddened" by what had happened.
"Words are inadequate to express our sympathy for the families and loved ones of the victims and our devoted team of humanitarian aid workers in Afghanistan," said IRC president George Rupp."Words are inadequate to express our sympathy for the families and loved ones of the victims and our devoted team of humanitarian aid workers in Afghanistan," said IRC president George Rupp.
The organisation announced it had suspended all of its humanitarian aid programmes in the country - after 20 years of operating in Afghanistan.The organisation announced it had suspended all of its humanitarian aid programmes in the country - after 20 years of operating in Afghanistan.
Earlier, police in Logar said the nationalities of the women were American, Canadian and Irish, but IRC officials say this is not correct.Earlier, police in Logar said the nationalities of the women were American, Canadian and Irish, but IRC officials say this is not correct.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack and it is not clear who might have carried it out.No group has claimed responsibility for the attack and it is not clear who might have carried it out.
A senior Afghan security official told the BBC he believed a criminal gang had collaborated with the Taleban over the attack.A senior Afghan security official told the BBC he believed a criminal gang had collaborated with the Taleban over the attack.
The aid workers had apparently changed cars for security reasons, and the details of their vehicles may have been passed on to their attackers.The aid workers had apparently changed cars for security reasons, and the details of their vehicles may have been passed on to their attackers.
UN special representative to Afghanistan Kai Ede said he was shocked by the attack.UN special representative to Afghanistan Kai Ede said he was shocked by the attack.
'Grave concern''Grave concern'
Earlier this month aid agencies warned they may become unable to operate in parts of Afghanistan once seen as safe, because of the intensifying conflict. AFGHAN AID ATTACKS 2008: An estimated 84 attacks on aid agencies so far, 21 in JuneJuly 2008: Two French aid workers abducted, but later freed May 2008: UN shuts a repatriation centre in the east amid unrest Jan 2008: US female NGO worker seized in the southJuly 2007: Two South Korean aid workers shot deadApril 2007: Two French aid workers seized in the south-west March 2007: Gunmen shoot dead a German aid worker in the northEarlier this month aid agencies warned they may become unable to operate in parts of Afghanistan once seen as safe, because of the intensifying conflict. AFGHAN AID ATTACKS 2008: An estimated 84 attacks on aid agencies so far, 21 in JuneJuly 2008: Two French aid workers abducted, but later freed May 2008: UN shuts a repatriation centre in the east amid unrest Jan 2008: US female NGO worker seized in the southJuly 2007: Two South Korean aid workers shot deadApril 2007: Two French aid workers seized in the south-west March 2007: Gunmen shoot dead a German aid worker in the north
The Agency Co-ordinating Body for Afghan Relief (Acbar), an umbrella group of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), pointed to a 50% increase in insurgent attacks compared to last year.The Agency Co-ordinating Body for Afghan Relief (Acbar), an umbrella group of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), pointed to a 50% increase in insurgent attacks compared to last year.
It expressed its "grave concern about the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan and the serious impact on civilians".It expressed its "grave concern about the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan and the serious impact on civilians".
June saw more attacks on NGOs than in any month since the Taleban's overthrow in 2001 and some agencies had been forced to scale back operations, the statement said.June saw more attacks on NGOs than in any month since the Taleban's overthrow in 2001 and some agencies had been forced to scale back operations, the statement said.
Nineteen aid workers had been killed so far this year - more than during the whole of 2007, said Acbar.Nineteen aid workers had been killed so far this year - more than during the whole of 2007, said Acbar.
Some 2,500 people had been killed this year, up to 1,000 of them civilians, Acbar said.Some 2,500 people had been killed this year, up to 1,000 of them civilians, Acbar said.
Kabul blamed the rise in insurgent attacks on the Pakistani government's attempts to negotiate peace deals with militants in tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.Kabul blamed the rise in insurgent attacks on the Pakistani government's attempts to negotiate peace deals with militants in tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.
Nato commanders have said violence is up by some 40% in eastern Afghanistan since spring this year, partly due to troops patrolling more areas.Nato commanders have said violence is up by some 40% in eastern Afghanistan since spring this year, partly due to troops patrolling more areas.