Liberation Army: DC Jhal Magsi release

QUETTA: Baloch insurgents released Deputy Commissioner (DC) Jhal Magsi, Shaukat Ali Marghzani on Thursday near Mach Town, some 90 kilometres southeast of Quetta.

Marghzani was abducted on January 1 from Ab-e-Gum area of Mach town while travelling to Quetta. The same day five police personnel, including SHO Dera Allahyar, were gunned down in the same area. Banned outfit Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) had claimed responsibility for the kidnapping and the killings.

“The kidnappers changed their location every alternate day during the 17 days,” DC Marghzani told reporters.

Home Secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani quoted the DC as saying that there were 30 armed men present with him who were taking instructions through a satellite phone. “The group did not steal any money from the DC,” Durrani said. He said DC Marghzani was in a stable condition.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 18^th, 2011.