BLA militants abduct 10 Punjabi picnickers from Balochistan's tourist spot
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Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) militants have kidnapped 10 people belonging to Punjab who were enjoying a picnic in the Shaban area of Zarghoon Gar, a tourist spot in the Harnai district of Balochistan, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Friday.
According to reports, Sibi Division Commissioner Bashir Ahmad Bangalzai confirmed that yesterday, the picnickers were abducted from different locations in the Shaban area.
He said the abductors left a pick-up vehicle on the way which indicated that the hostages were likely taken to the difficult hilly areas of Margat.
The commissioner said the identities of the hostages have not yet been confirmed and law enforcement agencies have begun efforts to recover the hostages.
Commissioner Bangalzai confirmed that the banned militant organization BLA has claimed responsibility for the abduction of these 10 tourists.
As per the channel report, an administration official in Quetta reported that the armed men abducted 10 people after checking their identity cards at various locations early yesterday morning.
Among the hostages was an official from the Customs Department, though the administration officer stated that the identities of the individuals have not been confirmed.
Reports said the 10 abductees belonged to Punjab. DG Levies and security officials confirmed the armed men took 16 people hostage who were enjoying picnic.
“The armed men later released six hostages after checking their Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs),” the DG added.
He further said that the 10 abducted people, including a Customs officer, are residents of Punjab province.
Harnai District, part of Sibi Division in Balochistan, is adjacent to Quetta, located to the east of the city. The region consists of difficult hilly terrain with significant coal deposits.
The majority of Harnai's population belongs to various Pashtun tribes, although there are also people from different Baloch tribes.
Like other areas in Balochistan, some parts of Harnai are affected by insurgency. In addition to kidnappings, the region experiences attacks on security forces and other incidents of unrest.
A similar incident occurred last year in Zarghoon, where armed men had abducted several Punjabis after verifying their identities.
Last year, six labourers from Punjab were shot dead and two others were injured by unknown armed assailants in the Satellite area of Kech in Turbat district.
Reporter: Essa Tarin