American Journalist Abducted In Afghanistan

November 11, 2008 6:10 a.m. EST

Kabul, Afghanistan (AHN) - A journalist from the New York Times together with two Afghan colleagues were abducted by unidentified armed men on Monday in Logar province, some 37.2 miles south of the capital Kabul.

Jan Mohammad Khalid, spokesman for the provincial administration said that the New York Times journalist he identified only as David, was forcibly taken by armed men together with his local interpreter Tahir and driver at around 5:00 pm Monday while on their way to Charkh district.

The trio did not coordinate their trip to Charkh with the police, he said.

According to Khalid, the New York Times journalist wanted to conduct an interview with local Taliban fighters but failed to inform authorities of their plan.

Logar province police chief Mustafa Mohsino warned that all foreigners, as well as journalists, should coordinate with the police before traveling to Logar province.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.

The abduction of the New York Times journalist came after Canadian TV journalist Melissa Fung, a reporter for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation were freed Saturday by her abductors in Wardak province.

Fung was abducted by suspected Taliban members on October 12, after her second visit into the country.

She was freed after the local tribal council negotiated with her kidnappers for her quick release.