5:20pm UK, Monday October 20, 2008

A female British national was shot dead in Afghanistan because she was spreading Christianity, the Taliban has declared.

Gayle Williams and the scene of the shooting

Aid worker Gayle Williams, from the Christian charity Serve Afghanistan, was killed in the capital Kabul.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said she was shot because she was teaching her religion.

“This woman came to Afghanistan to teach Christianity to the people of Afghanistan,” he said.

“Our (leaders) issued a decree to kill this woman. This morning our people killed her in Kabul.”

Two gunmen on a motorbike targeted the 34-year-old as she walked to work alone at about 8am local time.

“She was a person who always loved the Afghans and was dedicated to serving those who are disabled,” Serve Afghanistan said in a statement.

“Needless to say we are all in shock.”

Ms Williams was a joint South African-UK national, Serve Afghanistan said.

Speaking from Kabul, journalist Jerome Starkey told Sky News that Ms Williams had previously been working in Kandahar but had been brought back to Kabul because it was thought to be safer.

Taliban insurgents have increasingly targeted aid workers this year in their campaign to spread an atmosphere of fear and undermine security in Afghanistan.

A total of 30 aid workers were killed during the first seven months of 2008 and 92 were abducted, according to the United Nations.

Meanwhile, a senior Nato officer has told Sky News a lack of “political will”is hampering development.

General John Craddock said not enough Nato countries were contributing troops.