A British aid worker kidnapped alongside three Afghan co-workers in Kunar province in eastern Afghanistan 26 September is being held by the Taliban. A Taliban commander, Mohammed Osman, speaking to the Afghan Islamic Press 27 September, said he would release the aid worker in exchange for Aafia Siddiqui, a neuroscientist sentenced to 86 years in prison in the USA for attacking US soldiers and agents.
The British woman was working for a US-based development group, Development Alternatives, when the convoy she was travelling in was ambushed. Afghan national police gave chase, but the kidnappers escaped into nearby mountains. British officials have confirmed the kidnapping but have not commented on the Taliban demands.
Links to other sites: AP, Daily Telegraph
