KABUL, May 18: Afghanistan’s government said on Wednesday it was in touch with an abducted Italian aid worker, who was in good health, and her kidnappers and was optimistic she would be released unharmed. “We have spoken with Clementina Cantoni,” interior ministry spokesman Lutfullah Mashal said. “Her health condition and safety is ensured.”

He added that the government was ‘in constant contact’ with the people claiming to be the kidnappers. “We are very optimistic that Ms Clementina will be peacefully released,” he said. “We are sparing no efforts to get her peaceful release, but there will be no concession to kidnappers.”

Ms Cantoni, 32, who works for CARE International, was dragged from her car by armed men in the Qala-i-Mosa district of Kabul on Monday evening. Lt Col Karen Tissot Van Patot, a spokeswoman for the Nato-led peacekeeping force, said it was her understanding that the ministry, the Italian embassy and CARE were discussing plans for her release.

Police had suggested that a criminal gang kidnapped Ms Cantoni to press for the release of their leader, Tela Mohammed, but the interior ministry spokesman quashed any notion of their involvement.

“There has been no contact by Tela Mohammed’s group, and they are not behind it, it is someone else,” Mr Mashal said. He refused to elaborate on who was responsible for the kidnapping but ruled out political motives.

Western security sources close to the investigation said they believed Mohammad’s gang was nevertheless behind Ms Cantoni’s disappearance. “Yes, we still think they’re behind the abduction,” said a source. “They want to gain his (Mohammad’s) release.”—AFP