New Delhi/Chennai: In yet another incident targeting Indians in Afghanistan, suspected Taliban militants have abducted an Indian national working for an Italian company in the war-torn country.

38-year-old Simon, who hails from Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu, was abducted along with his Afghan interpreter and driver in Herat province on October 13,official sources said here today.

He was working as a cook with the Italian food store Fiano , which serves Italian soldiers in Afghanistan. He had gone to the troubled country a year ago, the sources said.

Simon and the two locals were kidnapped while they were delivering food at the International Security Assistance Force camp in Bagram air base, they said.

Indian Embassy in Kabul and Consulate in Herat are in constant touch with top Afghan authorities who are making efforts to secure his safe release, they said. The Embassy is also in touch with Simon's company.

Citing latest information, the sources said Simon was alive but did not give more details because of fear that it could jeopardise the safety of the hostage.

Simon did not have any security unlike other Indian nationals who have gone there through the government, the sources said.

"Since he had gone through a private contract with the Italian firm, his security was the responsibility of the company," they said.

The abductors are believed to have made a ransom demand of USD 50,000.

Source : PTI