KABUL - A British security worker kidnapped in Afghanistan was found dead on Saturday as officials confirmed two missing Japanese tourists were shot in the countryâs troubled south, underscoring the fragile security ahead of key parliamentary elections.Afghan and foreign coalition forces had earlier led an operation to rescue British citizen David Addison, who was kidnapped by the Taleban on Wednesday, said Dr Kim Howells, UK foreign minister for Afghanistan. âWith great sadness, I have to report that in the course of the operation they found a body, which is presumed to be that of David,â Howells said in an emailed statement.
Howells said it remained unclear how and when Addison died. The Taleban claimed responsibility for Addisonâs death, with purported spokesman Mullah Abdul Latif Hakimi saying: âWe killed the British engineer in Rud district in Koh-e-Zor area of Farah province.â
Addison, who was working on security for the Farah road, was ambushed Wednesday by rebels who set up a roadblock using two cars and opened fire from a third car, killing an Afghan body guard as well as three Afghan police officers, western and Afghan officials said.
âWe condemn the Taleban for the abduction of Mr Addison, which directly resulted in his death. We also condemn them for the murder of Afghan police officers in the attack when Mr Addison was abducted on Wednesday,â Howells said.
Earlier Saturday Afghan army and police surrounded the remote mountain village of Sur Hara in Farah provinceâs Zerkoh Balabaluk district in a failed bid to find the missing Briton.