Un Official Kidnapped In Pakistan
See also
-
Baloch Human Rights Council (UK) condemns the brutal Target killing of the sister and niece of Brahamdag Bugti
2012,02,03 -
When the doves cry: What or who is the Baloch Students Organisation? By Nadeem F. Paracha
2012,02,03 -
EDITORIAL: Balochistan: a self-fulfilling prophecy: (BRP) chief Brahamdagh Bugti's sister and niece in Karachi was unlike any other target killing.
2012,02,02 -
Eleven soldiers killed in Balochistan clashes
2012,02,01 -
Intel chief: Pressured Iran might strike in U.S.
2012,02,01 -
Iran is running out of steam: Its strategic retreat is most visible at regional level. Tehran is in a perpetual conflict with its neighbours By Abdulkhaleq Abdullah, Special to Gulf News
2012,01,31 -
Nightmare in Balochistan: by Selig S. Harrison
2012,01,30 -
Demanding attention: Baloch students want TV blackout from Feb 1
2012,01,29 -
Iranian forces kill 8 Pak border traders (Staff Reporter), Khaleejtimes
2012,01,29 -
Congressman Suggests 'Creating' New State Balochistan To Defeat Taliban
2012,01,29
A senior official of the United Nations refugee agency, American John Solecki, has been kidnapped in the western Pakistani city of Quetta, police say.
Police said gunmen stopped his vehicle on his way to work, seizing him and killing his driver, a local man.
Quetta is capital of Balochistan, where insurgents have been fighting for more autonomy. The Taleban are also active in the area, which borders Afghanistan.
Senior police official Khalid Masood said the kidnapped official was American John Solecki, who "has been serving in Quetta for more than two years".
"We cannot speculate on the motive behind the crime," he told Associated Press news agency.
The UN has confirmed that an official with the UNHCR had been kidnapped, but did not reveal the official's name or nationality, pending notification of his relatives.
No group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.
Quetta police official Wazir Khan Nasir told Reuters news agency that the gunmen had taken the official with them "after shooting his driver".
The man, a Pakistani, later died in hospital.
Television pictures from the scene of the incident showed a vehicle belonging to the UNHCR rammed against a wall. At least one bullet hole was visible on the wall.
Quetta is the capital of Balochistan province, which borders Afghanistan.
The UNHCR has been working for years in Quetta with refugees from Afghanistan.
There has been low level insurgency in Balochistan driven by groups wanting more autonomy for the energy-rich province.
Taleban groups have also been active in the region.