KABUL -- The United Nations will complain to Afghan authorities on Thursday about growing attacks on aid workers in northern Afghanistan after an Afghan employee of the food and agricultural organization was shot dead in his home.

A UN spokesman said Special UN Representative for Afghanistan Lakhdar Brahimi would meet top security officials to seek better protection for workers after Shah Sayed was killed on Wednesday morning in the main northern town of Mazar-I-Sharif.

"This is part of a disturbing pattern of attacks on civilians, including humanitarian personnel, in the northern region in recent months," a UN statement said.

"Mr Brahimi will be meeting authorities in Kabul to discuss measures to ensure the protection of aid workers -- a priority in light of this tragic event and the chain of security incidents in recent months."

The attacks on aid workers appeared part of growing violence in recent weeks which has included an assassination attempt on Defence Minister Mohammad Fahim and a foiled plot to kill interim leader Hamid Karzai and ex-king Zahir Shah.