Four abducted footballers rescued in Balochistan

LEAs, local administration and provincial govt say search continues for remaining two

In a welcome turn of events, four of the six young footballers who were abducted in Balochistan's Dera Bugti district on September 9 have been successfully recovered.

The safe rescue of these athletes was made possible through the concerted efforts of law enforcement agencies, the local administration, and the provincial government.

The six football players had been on their way to Sibi to participate in the Chief Minister Balochistan Gold Cup tournament when armed militants forcefully seized them in the Sangsila area of Dera Bugti district earlier this month.

The harrowing incident served as a stark reminder of the volatile security situation in certain regions of Balochistan. A senior administration official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to a lack of media authorisation, had confirmed the abduction, triggering immediate concerns for the safety of the players.

Also read: Concerns mount as abducted footballers remain missing

In response to the kidnapping, security measures were swiftly heightened in the affected area. Saleh Muhammad Nasar, the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) of Balochistan, revealed that a comprehensive search operation had been launched to locate the missing footballers.

The gravity of the situation prompted caretaker Chief Minister Ali Mardan Domki to take immediate notice of the incident. In an official statement from the Chief Minister's Secretariat, it was disclosed that CM Domki instructed the local administration to intensify their efforts in ensuring the safe and unharmed return of the abducted football players.

Furthermore, the chief minister called for the formation of a joint team, comprising Levies paramilitary forces and the police, to coordinate and expedite efforts aimed at locating and rescuing the remaining two abducted athletes.

While four of the players have now been reunited with their families, the efforts to find the remaining two continue.