Authorities in Afghanistan have launched a search operation for two teachers kidnapped by gunmen in the capital Kabul on Sunday. The teachers, an Australian and an American, work at the American University of Afghanistan which was close to where the kidnapping took place. The Australian Embassy has confirmed that one of its citizens has been abducted but declined to comment further out of security concerns.

The U.S. State Department said it was aware of reports of an American being kidnapped. The abduction of foreign nationals is a major problem in Afghanistan. In 2015, two citizens from Germany and the Netherlands were snatched from the same neighborhood in separate incidents. In the same year, an Indian aid worker was abducted but was later released. Police have advised foreigners living in Kabul to travel with security guards or avoid leaving their homes.