Hunt on for details into kidnapping

DIPLOMATS are still trying to trace Australian aid worker Kerry Wilson and who abducted her in Afghanistan.

Ms Wilson, 60, was kidnapped at gunpoint by men dressed as Afghan Intelligence officers on Thursday from her office in the eastern city of Jalalabad. Ms Wilson has worked for more than a decade as the director of Afghan non-government organisation Zardozi, which she helped found.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said yesterday the Australian government was working closely with authorities in Afghanistan, as well as other countries, including Britain, who have significant representation on the ground.

It is not yet known whether the kidnappers are Islamic militants or a local criminal gang, just as likely to abduct aid workers for ransom.