LAHORE, Pakistan – Gunmen kidnapped an American development expert after tricking his guards and breaking into his house in Pakistan on Saturday, a brazen raid that alarmed aid workers, diplomats and other foreigners who already tread carefully in this country rife with Islamic militancy and anti-U.S. sentiment.

The U.S. Embassy identified the victim as Warren Weinstein. Weinstein is the Pakistan country director for J.E. Austin Associates, a development contractor that has received millions of dollars from the aid arm of the U.S. government, according to a profile on LinkedIn, a networking website.

Police declined to speculate on the motive, and no group immediately claimed responsibility. But kidnappings for ransom are common in Pakistan. Criminal gangs are suspected in most abductions, but Islamic militants, are believed to use the tactic.

Lahore has seen a number of militant attacks, and the Punjab region where it is located is home to several of Pakistan’s top militant networks, some of which are suspected of ties to Pakistani intelligence.

Police said the American, believed to be in his 60s, had told his staff that would be moving out of Pakistan by Monday.