Indian woman feared abducted in Afghanistan’s Kabul

An Indian woman has been abducted in Kabul and the ministry of external affairs was in touch with Afghan authorities to seek her early release, government sources said Friday.

An Indian woman has been abducted in Kabul and the ministry of external affairs was in touch with Afghan authorities to seek her early release, government sources said Friday.

Afghan security personnel keep watch as they take part in an operation against militants at the Aliabad district of Kunduz province. (AFP file photo)

Television reports said the 40-year-old woman was a resident of Kolkata. A senior technical adviser with the Aga Khan Foundation, she was snatched by unknown gunmen from Kabul’s Taimani area on Thursday night, the reports said.

No group has claimed responsibility so far.

The government, sources said, was in touch with her family and the Indian mission in Kabul. Surveillance teams and special forces were trying to locate the woman whose mobile phone was active for some time after the abduction.

Indians and Indian assets often come under attack in the war-ravaged Afghanistan, where New Delhi is leading the rebuilding effort.

In May, the Indian embassy issued a security alert for its citizens residing in Afghanistan and travelling to the country.

“All Indians residing and travelling to Afghanistan are advised that the security situation in the country remains highly volatile. Terrorist attacks have taken place in the country against foreigners and are expected to continue. There is also the risk of kidnapping and hostage taking throughout the Afghanistan,” a statement said.