Gunmen in Afghanistan have kidnapped a French aid worker in the capital, Kabul, police say.
Gunmen in Afghanistan have kidnapped a French aid worker in the capital, Kabul, police say.
An Afghan driver who tried to stop the abduction was killed, police said.
An Afghan driver who tried to stop the abduction was killed, police said.
Officials told Reuters news agency the aid worker was walking in the west of the city with another Frenchman when gunmen in a Toyota saloon seized him.
Officials told Reuters news agency the aid worker was walking in the west of the city with another Frenchman when gunmen in a Toyota saloon seized him.
The incident comes less than 10 days after a Briton and South African were killed in Kabul and two weeks after a British aid worker was also killed.
The incident comes less than 10 days after a Briton and South African were killed in Kabul and two weeks after a British aid worker was also killed.
Correspondents say the latest incident will add to the growing sense of unease among foreign workers in the city.
Correspondents say the latest incident will add to the growing sense of unease among foreign workers in the city.
'Shot dead'
'Shot dead'
"A man... who tried to stop the abductors was shot and killed as he tried to scuffle with them," interior ministry spokesman Zemarai Bashari told AFP news agency.
"A man... who tried to stop the abductors was shot and killed as he tried to scuffle with them," interior ministry spokesman Zemarai Bashari told AFP news agency.
FOREIGN WORKERS IN PERIL 25 October 2008: A Briton and South African working for courier DHL shot dead in Kabul20 October 2008: British aid worker Gayle Williams killed by two gunmen in Kabul27 August 2008: Body of a Japanese aid worker recovered in the eastern province of Nangahar13 August 2008: Three female staff of International Rescue Committee shot dead with driver near Kabul
FOREIGN WORKERS IN PERIL 25 October 2008: A Briton and South African working for courier DHL shot dead in Kabul20 October 2008: British aid worker Gayle Williams killed by two gunmen in Kabul27 August 2008: Body of a Japanese aid worker recovered in the eastern province of Nangahar13 August 2008: Three female staff of International Rescue Committee shot dead with driver near Kabul
The dead man's uncle told AFP that his nephew, Malik, 26, was a driver for a provincial intelligence department.
The dead man's uncle told AFP that his nephew, Malik, 26, was a driver for a provincial intelligence department.
"My nephew tried to stop them abducting the foreigners," said the uncle, Ghulam Hazrat.
"My nephew tried to stop them abducting the foreigners," said the uncle, Ghulam Hazrat.
"He grabbed the gun of one of the kidnappers. The other shot him dead with five bullets. At this time one of the foreigners ran away and they put the other in the car, kicking him badly."
"He grabbed the gun of one of the kidnappers. The other shot him dead with five bullets. At this time one of the foreigners ran away and they put the other in the car, kicking him badly."
Mr Hazrat said that armed men were waiting for the two foreigners in a car and grabbed them before his nephew intervened.
Mr Hazrat said that armed men were waiting for the two foreigners in a car and grabbed them before his nephew intervened.
Other witnesses confirmed the escape of the second foreigner in the Baharistan area of the city.
Other witnesses confirmed the escape of the second foreigner in the Baharistan area of the city.
"One of the foreigners tripped and the other continued to run," Hajatullah - who lives in the area - told AFP.
"One of the foreigners tripped and the other continued to run," Hajatullah - who lives in the area - told AFP.
"The two abductors arrived as the foreigner fell to the ground. A man stopped his car and tried to take the gun from one of the abductors.
"The two abductors arrived as the foreigner fell to the ground. A man stopped his car and tried to take the gun from one of the abductors.
"The second abductor opened fire and killed the man trying to help. The two forced the foreigner into the waiting car and disappeared."
"The second abductor opened fire and killed the man trying to help. The two forced the foreigner into the waiting car and disappeared."
The BBC's Ian Pannell in Kabul says that there is no indication yet as to what the motive might be of the kidnappers.
The BBC's Ian Pannell in Kabul says that there is no indication yet as to what the motive might be of the kidnappers.
Our correspondent says that a small number of aid organisations have had to close down or reduce their operations because of the direct threat to their work and presence in Afghanistan.
Our correspondent says that a small number of aid organisations have had to close down or reduce their operations because of the direct threat to their work and presence in Afghanistan.
The Taleban and criminal gangs have kidnapped or killed dozens of foreigners and hundreds of Afghans over the last five years, but up until recently kidnappings in Kabul have been rare.
The Taleban and criminal gangs have kidnapped or killed dozens of foreigners and hundreds of Afghans over the last five years, but up until recently kidnappings in Kabul have been rare.
Most of those abducted were released unharmed after a ransom was paid, but an increasing number have been killed.
Most of those abducted were released unharmed after a ransom was paid, but an increasing number have been killed.
Officials say that two Bangladeshi aid workers released after being kidnapped last month in the Afghan province of Ghazni are due to return home later this week.
Officials say that two Bangladeshi aid workers released after being kidnapped last month in the Afghan province of Ghazni are due to return home later this week.
In other incidents in October, a Briton and South African working for the DHL international courier company were shot dead in Kabul - days before British aid worker Gayle Williams killed by two gunmen in the capital.
In other incidents in October, a Briton and South African working for the DHL international courier company were shot dead in Kabul - days before British aid worker Gayle Williams killed by two gunmen in the capital.Are you a foreign national currently working in Afghanistan? Contact us with your comments and experiences using the form below.
