This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/7559795.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Dead Afghanistan aid worker named Dead Afghanistan aid worker named
(9 minutes later)
A UK aid worker killed in Afghanistan has been named as University of Ulster research fellow Dr Jacqueline Kirk.A UK aid worker killed in Afghanistan has been named as University of Ulster research fellow Dr Jacqueline Kirk.
She was one of three female aid workers shot dead in an ambush, along with their Afghan driver, near Kabul, the International Rescue Committee said.She was one of three female aid workers shot dead in an ambush, along with their Afghan driver, near Kabul, the International Rescue Committee said.
The other two women were a Trinidadian-American and a Canadian.The other two women were a Trinidadian-American and a Canadian.
The Department for International Development (DFID) said it utterly condemned attacks on innocent civilians.The Department for International Development (DFID) said it utterly condemned attacks on innocent civilians.
"Thanks to the help of aid workers like these, real progress has been made in improving the lives of the Afghan people," said DFID Minister Shahid Malik."Thanks to the help of aid workers like these, real progress has been made in improving the lives of the Afghan people," said DFID Minister Shahid Malik.
Programmes suspendedProgrammes suspended
Dr Kirk, 40, had UK and Canadian citizenship and was based at the university's International Conflict Research centre in Coleraine.Dr Kirk, 40, had UK and Canadian citizenship and was based at the university's International Conflict Research centre in Coleraine.
The women were travelling from Gardez in the south-east to Kabul when they were attacked.The women were travelling from Gardez in the south-east to Kabul when they were attacked.
A second Afghan driver was hurt when unidentified gunmen fired on the group as they drove through Logar province.A second Afghan driver was hurt when unidentified gunmen fired on the group as they drove through Logar province.
Dr Kirk'shusband, a research scientist, said his wife's killers knew she was an unarmed aid worker. Dr Kirk's husband Andrew, a research scientist, said his wife's killers knew she was an unarmed aid worker.
"They weretravelling in white Toyota Land Cruisers that were clearly marked as IRCvehicles, as humanitarian vehicles. "They were travelling in white Toyota Land Cruisers that were clearly marked as IRC vehicles, as humanitarian vehicles.
"Their policy was never to travel with weapons in the car so there wouldn't beany doubt that they're a peaceful humanitarian organisation." "Their policy was never to travel with weapons in the car so there wouldn't be any doubt that they're a peaceful humanitarian organisation."
Words are inadequate to express our sympathy for the families and loved ones of the victims and our devoted team of humanitarian aid workers in Afghanistan George RuppInternational Rescue Committee Aid women killed in AfghanistanTributes paid to Afghan aid workerWords are inadequate to express our sympathy for the families and loved ones of the victims and our devoted team of humanitarian aid workers in Afghanistan George RuppInternational Rescue Committee Aid women killed in AfghanistanTributes paid to Afghan aid worker
The bodies were taken to the governor's compound in the provincial capital, Puli Alam.The bodies were taken to the governor's compound in the provincial capital, Puli Alam.
A Taleban spokesman described the aid workers as foreign spies.A Taleban spokesman described the aid workers as foreign spies.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has suspended all of its humanitarian aid programmes in Afghanistan, after 20 years of operating in the country.The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has suspended all of its humanitarian aid programmes in Afghanistan, after 20 years of operating in the country.
The organisation said it was "stunned and profoundly saddened".The organisation said it was "stunned and profoundly saddened".
"Words are inadequate to express our sympathy for the families and loved ones of the victims and our devoted team of humanitarian aid workers in Afghanistan," said IRC president George Rupp."Words are inadequate to express our sympathy for the families and loved ones of the victims and our devoted team of humanitarian aid workers in Afghanistan," said IRC president George Rupp.
Minister Shahid Malik said the UK's heartfelt condolences went out to the families of those killed.Minister Shahid Malik said the UK's heartfelt condolences went out to the families of those killed.
He commended the "courageous aid workers".He commended the "courageous aid workers".
"Many thousands of children are alive today thanks to aid work on improving health standards. Six million children are now in education, two million of them girls, compared to one million boys, with girls banned from schools under the Taliban."Many thousands of children are alive today thanks to aid work on improving health standards. Six million children are now in education, two million of them girls, compared to one million boys, with girls banned from schools under the Taliban.
"In contrast the insurgents have nothing to offer the Afghan people other than more killings and intimidation," he said."In contrast the insurgents have nothing to offer the Afghan people other than more killings and intimidation," he said.
Conflict experienceConflict experience
BBC correspondent Alastair Leithead said the deaths were likely to have an impact on the work of aid agencies in Afghanistan, who had recently warned of a "rapidly deteriorating" situation.BBC correspondent Alastair Leithead said the deaths were likely to have an impact on the work of aid agencies in Afghanistan, who had recently warned of a "rapidly deteriorating" situation.
He said they would be taking a "long hard look" at their security arrangements and assessing areas where it might not be safe to operate.He said they would be taking a "long hard look" at their security arrangements and assessing areas where it might not be safe to operate.
Dr Kirk, who joined the IRC in 2004 and had been based at its HQ in New York, was brought up in the UK but later moved to Quebec in Canada.Dr Kirk, who joined the IRC in 2004 and had been based at its HQ in New York, was brought up in the UK but later moved to Quebec in Canada.
She had experience of working with aid organisations in conflict zones including Lebanon, Rwanda, Angola, Ethiopia and south Sudan.She had experience of working with aid organisations in conflict zones including Lebanon, Rwanda, Angola, Ethiopia and south Sudan.
Two of the other three victims were named as Nicole Dial, 30, of Trinidad and Tobago, and Mohammad Aimal, 25, from Kabul, Afghanistan, who had worked as a driver for the IRC since 2002.Two of the other three victims were named as Nicole Dial, 30, of Trinidad and Tobago, and Mohammad Aimal, 25, from Kabul, Afghanistan, who had worked as a driver for the IRC since 2002.
The name of the fourth victim, a Canadian woman, is being withheld at her parents' request.The name of the fourth victim, a Canadian woman, is being withheld at her parents' request.
Aid agencies are frequently targeted in the Afghan conflict, with convoys attacked and staff abducted or killed.Aid agencies are frequently targeted in the Afghan conflict, with convoys attacked and staff abducted or killed.