3 Germans and an Albian were killed by kidnappers in Southern Afghanistan. The nationalities of the dead have not been confirmed by authorities, the company that employed them said the four were Albanian Muslims.

There have been several incidents in recent months involving the kidnapping of foreigners in Afghanistan.

Some have been killed, including a Briton found dead last September, an Indian killed in November and a Nepalese man who died last month.

In other cases, other foreigners have been freed, reportedly after ransom money was paid.