Gunmen in Pakistan have shot dead an American aid worker and his driver in the north-western city of Peshawar.
Gunmen in Pakistan have shot dead an American aid worker and his driver in the north-western city of Peshawar.
The men were killed just outside their office in the University Town area. It is not clear who the attackers were.
The men were killed just outside their office in the University Town area. It is not clear who the attackers were.
Violence has surged in the north-west in recent months with a wave of attacks blamed on Islamist militants.
Violence has surged in the north-west in recent months with a wave of attacks blamed on Islamist militants.
And several missile strikes inside Pakistan's tribal areas by US troops based in neighbouring Afghanistan have fuelled anti-American sentiment.
And several missile strikes inside Pakistan's tribal areas by US troops based in neighbouring Afghanistan have fuelled anti-American sentiment.
'Under investigation'
'Under investigation'
The US embassy has refused to identify the man.
The US embassy has refused to identify the man.
"He was near his office when he was shot dead along with his driver," a US embassy spokesman told the BBC.
"He was near his office when he was shot dead along with his driver," a US embassy spokesman said.
The spokesman denied that the slain American was an employee of the USAid or the US government, as suggested by earlier reports.
The spokesman denied that the American who was killed had been an employee of USAid or the US government, as suggested by earlier reports.
"He was employed by a contractor who was employed by another contractor who was hired by the USAid," he said.
"He was employed by a contractor who was employed by another contractor who was hired by the USAid," he said.
Peshawar has seen many bombings and suicide attacks in recent times
Peshawar has seen many bombings and suicide attacks in recent times
Meanwhile, two Pakistani security officers were killed and several others were injured in a suicide attack in north-western Pakistan, officials said.
Meanwhile, two Pakistani security officers were killed and several others were injured in a suicide attack in north-western Pakistan, officials said.
The suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden car into a temporary security forces camp in Shabqadar area of Charsadda district, 25km north of Peshawar.
The suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden car into a temporary security forces camp in Shabqadar area of Charsadda district, 25km north of Peshawar.
Areas close to Peshawar - the biggest city in north-west Pakistan - are known to be Taleban and al-Qaeda strongholds.
Areas close to Peshawar - the biggest city in north-west Pakistan - are known to be Taleban and al-Qaeda strongholds.
The region has been hit by several bombings and suicide attacks recently.
The region has been hit by several bombings and suicide attacks recently.
On Tuesday, a suicide bomber walked up to the gate of a stadium in Peshawar and blew himself up.
On Tuesday, a suicide bomber walked up to the gate of a stadium in Peshawar and blew himself up.
The attack happened as the governor of North West Frontier Province left after a sports tournament.
The attack happened as the governor of North West Frontier Province left after a sports tournament.
He was unhurt but at least one man was killed and three people were injured.
He was unhurt but at least one man was killed and three people were injured.
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