Security forces were hunting yesterday for a British woman and three Afghans reportedly working for a US development group who were kidnapped in eastern Afghanistan, police said.

The woman is reportedly in her 30s, has worked in Afghanistan for several years and is considered very experienced. She is believed to have previously worked for the United Nations.

British media said the woman was working for US aid group DAI, a subcontractor of Washington’s USAID, and was seized along with three local staff when their two-vehicle convoy was attacked in Kunar province.

Kunar borders Pakistan and is a hotbed of Taliban activity.

The British government confirmed that she was a British citizen, and said her family had been notified and had asked that she is not publicly identified.

The BBC quoted a “senior security official” saying the group had been taken to nearby mountains on foot, and the area was being searched with the help of tribal elders.

Kunar provincial police chief Khalilullah Ziayee said a search operation had been launched.

“They were on their way from (eastern town) Jalalabad to Kunar province in two Corolla cars,” he said.

“We have received reports that the cars were stopped by Taliban... and one British and three Afghans were taken away. We are searching for them.”

The US military, which has a heavy presence in the mountainous and heavily forested region, was also said to be involved in the search.

British newspaper reports said police had chased the kidnappers and exchanged gunfire before they escaped.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office in London said, “We can confirm a British national has been abducted in Afghanistan.”

They did not give further details but added, “We are working closely with all the relevant local authorities. We are also in touch with the family and are providing consular assistance.”

DAI spokesman Steven O’Connor told the Daily Mail newspaper that resolving the incident was their “absolute first priority”.

“The woman who appears to have been kidnapped is one of our veterans. She is a complete professional and has many years of experience.”

A small Afghan news agency, which often carries Taliban statements and claims, said a local Taliban commander had claimed responsibility.

“It is not clear if this is legitimate,” a British official said, speaking on condition he not be named, adding the report was among a number of possibilities under investigation.

A spokesman for the Taliban denied in a telephone call with AFP that the insurgents were responsible for the abductions.

“We are not aware of the British woman kidnapping,” spokesman Zabihullah Mujahed said from an unknown location.