Unidentified gunmen abduct officers after bomb disposal operation in remote area
The police are conducting investigations. Photo: (file)/Ramzan Seemab
Unidentified armed terrorists kidnapped seven policemen, including the station house officer (SHO) of Sararogha Police Station, in the volatile Upper South Waziristan district on Wednesday.
The abducted officials include SHO Ahmad Shah and two members of the Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU). The others are Driver Hazrat Umar, Gunner Tariq, Gunner Kaleem, Gunner Abdullah Shah and BDU personnel Abdul Razzaq and Ibrahim.
District Police Officer (DPO) Arshad Khan said a police team accompanied by BDU was sent to remote Partogai area of Sararogha tehsil to neutralize suspected unexploded explosive material.
Read: Four policemen abducted in Gwadar
After disposing of the explosives and concluding the operation, the team was returning to the police station in an official vehicle when unidentified gunmen intercepted them, took the staff hostage and moved them to an undisclosed location.
According to police sources, the abduction took place around six kilometers from Sararogha police station. Initial reports suggest that the attackers were ambushed and struck when the team was returning after completing its task.
Immediately after receiving information about the incident, police and security forces launched a massive search operation in the area. Roadblocks were established on key mountainous routes and entry and exit points to restrict the kidnappers’ movements.
“Safe recovery of the abducted personnel is our top priority,” DPO Khan said. “All available resources are being used for this purpose. We have also registered a formal case and an investigation is underway from multiple angles.”
Also read: Second officer abducted near Peshawar border
The incident sparked widespread concern among local residents. Tribal elders, community leaders and civil society representatives urged the government and security agencies to take immediate and effective steps for the safe and early release of the kidnapped officers.
The kidnapping comes amid a noticeable increase in terrorism and lawlessness in Upper South Waziristan over the past two weeks. Several shooting incidents have recently been reported, resulting in injuries and casualties. Residents say the worsening security situation has increased the sense of insecurity in the area.
