One held in Herat for Indian aid worker's abduction

Afghan security forces Wednesday arrested a suspect in connection with the kidnapping of an Indian aid worker in western Herat province, a media report said.

Provincial security chief Samiullah Qatra said that the unnamed suspect has been taken into custody for further investigations,  Khaama Press reported Wednesday.

Police and intelligence operatives have launched a search operation to free the 47-year-old Indian aid worker, Fr. Alexis Prem Kumar, head of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) NGO, who was abducted from Zendjan district Monday while he was visiting a project site.

Alexis was visiting a school for Afghan refugee children and had just returned from a trip to Iran and Pakistan.

Meanwhile, local residents in Zendjan district said that the kidnappers might have taken Alexix to Gulran district.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the abduction.