US Embassy says American targeted in attempted kidnapping in Kabul

An Afghan National Army soldier in Kabul. (AP Photo/Massoud Hossaini)

An American was targeted in an attempted kidnapping in the Afghan capital of Kabul this week, according to the U.S. embassy there.

The American and several expatriates were targeted Monday, the embassy said in a statement, reminding Americans who plan to travel to Kabul that the threat of kidnapping or hostage taking is still “very high.”

Officials didn’t announce any other information about the attempted kidnapping, but Afghanistan's Interior Ministry Spokesman Sediq Sediqqi told NBC News that an incident took place in a residential neighborhood of Kabul.

Sediqqi, citing surveillance video and police reports, said foreigners were traveling in an SUV when their car was cut off and blocked in by another vehicle.

He added that two men emerged from the second vehicle, but the SUV carrying the foreigners was able to reverse onto a main road with a police checkpoint.

The men reportedly then ran back to their vehicle and sped off. Sediqqi said the nationalities of the foreigners could not be revealed due to an ongoing investigation.

The U.S. Embassy said it encourages anyone who plans on traveling to Kabul or any other parts of Afghanistan to stay vigilant and be aware of your surroundings.

“The U.S. Embassy continues to take this threat seriously and advises U.S. citizens to take appropriate security precautions and to avoid predictable travel patterns within Afghanistan,” the statement added.