Police Team Abducted After Bomb Disposal Operation
Eight police personnel, including a station house officer, were allegedly kidnapped by unidentified armed men in Upper South Waziristan on Wednesday.
District Police Officer Arshad Khan confirmed the incident.
He said the abducted officials included Sararogha SHO Ahmad Shah and two members of the Bomb Disposal Unit.
The police team had been deployed to the remote Partogai area of Sararogha tehsil.
Their task was to neutralise a suspected unexploded ordnance.
According to police sources, the Bomb Disposal Unit successfully defused the explosive device and completed the required procedures at the site.
Armed Men Intercept Police Vehicle
After completing the operation, the police team started returning to the police station.
During the return journey, unidentified armed men intercepted their vehicle.
The attackers held the personnel hostage and took them to an unknown location.
Preliminary information suggests the armed men were waiting for the police team and carried out the abduction after the operation ended.
Following the incident, police launched a large-scale search operation in the area.
Checkpoints and blockades were established on key routes, mountain passages, and entry and exit points.
Search Operation Underway Amid Security Concerns
DPO Arshad Khan said the safe recovery of the abducted police personnel is the top priority.
He added that all available resources are being used to trace the kidnappers and recover the officials safely.
An initial report has been entered into the police daily register, while further legal proceedings are underway.
The incident has caused concern among local residents.
Tribal elders, community leaders and civil society representatives have urged authorities to take immediate action.
The kidnapping comes amid a rise in security incidents in Upper South Waziristan over the past two weeks.
Several shooting incidents have also been reported in recent days, causing casualties and injuries.
Residents have called on federal and provincial authorities to strengthen law and order and curb the growing wave of violence in the region.
