Two cops kidnapped near Bugti tribal area

QUETTA: Gunmen kidnapped on Friday two policemen -- Muhammad Ali and Nawaz Ali -- from a checkpoint in RD 238 near Panwar Sanri in Jaffarabad district of Balochistan.

The kidnappers also took away with them four service rifles and a wireless set. The checkpoint is located on the border between Dera Bugti, a Provincially Administered Tribal Area, and the settled area of Jaffarabad. Local people avoid visiting the area known as RD 238, which is considered to be no-go area. It has been heavily policed for the past many decades.

It is believed that the kidnapped policemen have been taken to a remote area in the Bugti tribal territory. However, there was no official confirmation. Local police launched a search operation and sealed off the entire area. Armed men had also tried to kidnap policemen a few days ago from the check post, who were rescued after local tribal elders intervened.