By KUNA,
ISLAMABAD : A UN official was kidnapped and his driveer was killed by unknown militants in the Southwestern Pakistani province of Baluchistan on Monday, said officials — John Silva, the provincial chairman of United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), was attacked in Chamman Housing Scheme area of Quetta, the provincial capital, as he neared his office.
Official sources told KUNA that at least six militants, two riding a motorbike and four in a car, opened fire at a UN vehicle, carrying the UNHCR’s provincial chief.
They said the driver died on the spot, whereas John Silva received minor injuries as the militants kidnapped him at gunpoint.
Police confirmed the incident but did not name any group as being behind the kidnapping.
Security sources claimed that local Baluch nationalist militants were behind the kidnapping.
Police said that a case has been registered and a search operation has been launched.
Baluch nationalist militants have been waging low-insurgency for years to pressurize the government for greater provincial autonomy.(end) amn.wsa KUNA 021220 Feb 09NNNN