American aid worker shot dead in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Unknown gunmen shot dead a US aid worker and his driver in Pakistan’s north-west on Wednesday, police and media reports said.

The attack occurred in an upmarket neighbourhood of Peshawar, the capital of North West Frontier Province, located close to the restive tribal region. “Assailants lying in ambush opened fire on the US national’s car as it drove down an alley in the University Town (area of Peshawar), killing the foreigner and his local driver on the spot,” an area police officer said on condition of anonymity.

The vehicle was struck by several bullets, and television footage showed blood splatters and broken glasses at the site of the attack. The police officer said the US citizen was working for FATA Development Programme, which is being run by the United States Agency for International Development. FATA of Federally Administered Tribal Agencies represents Pakistan’s seven tribal districts along the Afghan frontier. The lawless region is considered a hotbed of Al Qaeda and Taliban militants.

Private television channels identified the US national as Stephen Devency, but the identity could not be confirmed independently. The deadly strike follows an August 26 gun attack on the US consulate’s principal officer, Lynne Tracy, in the same locality. Tracy escaped the attack unhurt as she was travelling in an armoured vehicle.

Militant violence has increased in Pakistan’s northwest following a surge in US air strikes on suspected Taliban militants in the tribal belt and offensives launched by the government forces to clear the areas of insurgents.