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UN official kidnapped in Pakistan UN official kidnapped in Pakistan
(about 2 hours later)
An official of the United Nations refugee agency has been kidnapped in the south-western Pakistani city of Quetta, police say. An official of the United Nations refugee agency has been kidnapped in the western Pakistani city of Quetta, police say.
They say he was on his way to work when unidentified gunmen stopped his vehicle and seized him. Reports identified him as John Solecki, an American and the regional head of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
His nationality is unclear. One report describes him as a foreigner. There has been no comment so far from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Police said gunmen stopped his vehicle on his way to work, seizing him and killing his driver, a local man.
The official's driver was shot at during the kidnapping, police said. The Taleban is active in the region which has also seen unrest from groups wanting greater local autonomy.
The UN has confirmed that an official with the UNHCR had been kidnapped, but did not reveal the official's name or nationality.
Senior police official Khalid Masood said the kidnapped official was American John Solecki, who "has been serving in Quetta for more than two years".
"We cannot speculate on the motive behind the crime," he told Associated Press news agency.
No group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.
Quetta police official Wazir Khan Nasir told Reuters news agency that the gunmen had taken the official with them "after shooting his driver".Quetta police official Wazir Khan Nasir told Reuters news agency that the gunmen had taken the official with them "after shooting his driver".
One report, quoting Mr Nasir, said the driver had died in the hospital. The man, a Pakistani, later died in hospital.
Television pictures from the scene of the incident showed a vehicle belonging to the UNHCR rammed against a wall. At least one bullet hole was visible on the wall.Television pictures from the scene of the incident showed a vehicle belonging to the UNHCR rammed against a wall. At least one bullet hole was visible on the wall.
Quetta is the capital of Balochistan province, which borders Afghanistan.Quetta is the capital of Balochistan province, which borders Afghanistan.
There has been low level insurgency in south-western Pakistan driven by groups wanting more autonomy for the Balochistan province. The UNHCR has been working for years in Quetta with refugees from Afghanistan.
There have been also a number of kidnappings in the region, as crime has been on the rise. There has been low level insurgency in Balochistan driven by groups wanting more autonomy for the province.
Taleban groups have also been active in the region.
There have been a number of kidnappings in the region, as crime has been on the rise.