Officials say Indian charity worker kidnapped in Afghanistan

NEW DELHI – Indian officials said Friday they were working with Afghan authorities to secure the release of an Indian charity worker kidnapped in Kabul a day earlier.

The 40-year-old worker was hired by the Aga Khan Foundation, which provides education and health assistance in about 30 countries.

The woman’s sister Agnes D’Souza sent several messages on Twitter asking for help from India’s foreign minister. One read: “My sister Judith D’Souza abducted in Kabul. Request your immediate help to rescue her. My old parents are very distressed.”

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted in response: “She is your sister and India’s daughter. We are doing everything to rescue her.”

The Aga Khan Foundation confirmed in a statement that a staff member had been abducted. “An investigation by the authorities has been launched, in conjunction with security officials and various partners. Every effort is being made to secure the safe release of the staff member.”

“We are shocked and praying for her safety. We have approached the government of India to find her and bring her back to India,” said Agnes D’Souza, her sister. She said her sister has been in Kabul for the past year.

The family has been living in central Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal state, for the past 30 years.

The Press Trust of India news agency, citing unidentified government sources, said the woman was apparently abducted from the city’s Taimani area.

An official with the Aga Khan Foundation said the worker was hired in Kabul. The official did not want to be identified and refused to give further details because of security reasons.

The foundation has been working in Afghanistan since 2002 in the areas of rural development, health, education, sanitation and cultural restoration.