Armed Men Abduct 20 Police Recruits in Mastung, Balochistan

MASTUNG: In a shocking incident, unidentified armed men abducted 20 police recruits from the Kalat Police Training Centre while they were traveling in a passenger van along the Quetta-Karachi Highway in Mastung district. The recruits were reportedly heading home for the weekend when the assailants intercepted their vehicle.

A senior official from the Balochistan government, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the abduction to Dawn. He stated, “Yes, 20 police personnel who were going home for the weekend were taken away by armed men while they were travelling in a passenger van on the Quetta-Karachi Highway in Mastung.” The armed group, reportedly on motorcycles and armed with automatic weapons, not only took the recruits but also seized their van, leaving the driver and three other passengers unharmed.

This incident raises serious concerns about the security situation in Balochistan, a region that has faced ongoing violence and instability. The abducted recruits are part of the Levies Force, which has been integrated into the police system, and their kidnapping underscores the risks faced by law enforcement personnel in the area.

Authorities are expected to launch an investigation into the abduction, with security forces likely to increase patrols along the Quetta-Karachi Highway. The government is under pressure to enhance security measures to protect its personnel and civilians from such brazen acts of violence.