Two suspects killed during raid to find kidnapped polio workers

During the operation security forces found the ambulance of kidnapped polio workers

QUETTA: Two suspected extremists allegedly involved in the kidnapping of a polio team were killed during a search operation jointly launched by Balochistan Levies and security forces in Barkwal and Murghab Kibzai of Zhob district, a spokesperson of the Frontier Corps (FC) said on Monday.

The security forces have found the ambulance of kidnapped polio workers. However, the kidnapped polio team was not recovered yet.

“Two terrorists were killed and the ambulance in which the polio team was traveling was found during search operations jointly launched by Frontier Corps and Balochistan Levies,” a Balochistan Frontier Corps spokesperson said in his press release.

As many as 250 soldiers of Frontier Corps are taking part in the operation.

“FC is using a helicopter in the search operation which has been launched to free the kidnapped polio team,” spokesperson said.

Two polio workers escorted by two constables of the Balochistan Levies were allegedly kidnapped by the Taliban on February 13.



RELATED: Polio team goes missing in Zhob



The security forces intensified their search in the area to trace the kidnapped polio workers.

“The search operation will continue until the kidnapped polio workers are recovered,” Inspector General FC Major General Sher Afgun said.

He said the FC would take every step to maintain peace in the region.

Zhob is one of the troubled areas of Balochistan which shares borders with the restive Waziristan tribal regions and Afghanistan. Zhob is also one of the ‘high-risk’ areas with regard to polio vaccination.