Two remaining abducted footballers return home

The two remaining kidnapped footballers on Sunday returned to their homes in Dera Bugti district of Balochistan after successful negotiations between the abductees’ family members and the abductors.

Caretaker Provincial Minister for Information Jan Achakzai confirmed that Babar Ali and Sheraz Khan had safely returned home, and that all the missing football players had been recovered.

On Sept 9, six footballers were kidnapped by unidentified armed men in the Kachhi canal area of Sui tehsil of Dera Bugti while they were on their way to Sibi to participate in the All Pakistan Chief Minister Gold Cup Football tournament.

Read More: Balochistan: why a black hole?

Subsequently, an operation was launched for the recovery of the athletes. Last month, four of the six footballers were recovered and handed over to their families.

However, the kidnappers had at that time refused to release the remaining two footballers. Family members and the Levies sources confirmed the release of the remaining two players on Sunday morning.