Aid worker abducted in Afghanistan identified as 60-year-old Perth woman

An Australian humanitarian worker reportedly kidnapped by armed men in the Afghan city of Jalalabad has been identified as 60-year-old Perth woman, Katherine (Kerry) Jane Wilson, the ABC reports. 

The woman was reportedly abducted on Thursday in the eastern city of Jalalabad in Afghanistan.

She was reported to have worked for the Danish Committee for Aid to Afghan Refugees, or DACAAR, a developmental aid organisation working in Afghanistan since 1984.

However, the organisation has since rejected claims the woman was one of their staff.

"We wish to make clear that the person in question does not work for Dacaar or DRC," the agency tweeted overnight.

"No one from DRC or Dacaar has been abducted in Afghanistan."

Ms Wilson's father, Brian, 91, told the ABC he was "extremely worried" for her welfare.

"I feel extremely worried indeed," Mr Wilson said. 

"But I presume she's a hostage, and that they'll do their best to keep her alive and not harm her, simply because they want to have something or other in return and it's not very good having a dead hostage."

"Do your level best, come back safe and sound," he said in a video posted on Twitter.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade late on Thursday said in a statement that "the Australian government is working to confirm the reported kidnapping of an Australian in Afghanistan".

No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction so far.

Reports of the abduction have differed, with Spanish news agency EFE quoting a state governor's spokesperson saying it occurred early morning at the office of the non-profit organisation in Jalalabad, capital of the Nangahar province.

The kidnappers wore military uniforms and the employee "worked in the non-profit's handicrafts department," Attaullah Khogyanai said.

Other reports say she was staying at the Spin Ghar hotel in Jalalabad and working at a local Afghan aid agency when she was kidnapped.

A security source, requesting anonymity, said police have detained eight suspects, adding the kidnapped woman had not requested protection.

In February, five Afghan employees of the International Committee of the Red Cross were abducted by unidentified armed assailants in southeastern Afghanistan but freed four days later.

Kidnappings, especially for ransom, are a common occurrence in the country, and frequently target employees of humanitarian organisations.