New York  - The attack that killed a UN staff member and resulted in the kidnapping of an official with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Pakistan was condemned in the "strongest terms" by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Monday.

Syed Hashim died in the attack while his companion, American John Solecki, was kidnapped while traveling in Quetta, Pakistan, by unknown assailants, local police said.

In Washington, the US State Department said it was looking into reports of the kidnapping, but could not confirm the victim's identity as an American.

Ban said in a statement that he condemned "in the strongest terms, the attack on UN staff who serve the neediest people around the world."

"Such acts are aimed, not only against UN personnel, but also against those they serve selflessly and with dedication," it said. The secretary general expresses his deepest condolences to the family of Mr Hashim and calls for the immediate and safe release of Mr Solecki." dpa