Four Travellers, Including Customs Official, Abducted from Passenger Coach in Chagai
Armed men abducted four travellers, including a Customs official, from a passenger coach in broad daylight in the Charsar area of Chagai district on Saturday, police said. The Chagai abduction comes amid continuing security concerns in Balochistan, where armed groups have carried out attacks and abductions in different areas.
Customs official Muhammad Ibrahim was travelling from Quetta to Dalbandin on duty when the passenger coach broke down along the way. Armed men arrived at the scene, stopped the passengers, checked their identity cards and took four individuals away, including Ibrahim.
Police and security personnel rushed to the area after the incident. They have launched a search operation to trace the abducted individuals and secure their recovery. The identities of the other three abductees and their whereabouts were not immediately available.
Chagai abduction search operation under way
Police said the operation was launched within hours of the incident, with personnel deployed across the surrounding area to trace the route the abductors may have taken. No further details about the armed men had emerged by the time of reporting.
Judge returns home after four days in captivity
In a separate development, Additional Sessions Judge Asadullah Raisani of Panjgur returned home safely after four days in captivity, according to his family. The judge was travelling from Quetta to Panjgur on 7 October when armed men intercepted his vehicle and abducted him near Basima. He was released near Gadar and reached home safely. No details of the release circumstances were immediately available.
Highway security remains a concern
The two incidents highlight the security challenges for travellers on Balochistan’s highways, particularly in remote areas where long distances between settlements complicate emergency responses.
The Quetta to Dalbandin road runs through long stretches of sparsely populated terrain, where help can be hours away for stranded travellers. A breakdown on such a route leaves passengers exposed, which makes daylight attacks like Saturday’s especially alarming for those who use the road regularly.
Hostage situations in the region have previously been resolved through negotiations, including the release of 13 hostages in Bannu after elders negotiated with militants.
The Express Tribune reported the Chagai abduction on Saturday.
Frequently asked questions
Who was abducted in Chagai?
Four travellers, including Customs official Muhammad Ibrahim, who was travelling from Quetta to Dalbandin on duty.
How did the abduction happen?
The passenger coach broke down in Charsar. Armed men arrived at the scene, stopped the passengers, checked their identity cards and took four individuals away.
What are the authorities doing?
Police and security personnel have launched a search operation to trace the abducted individuals and secure their recovery.
What happened to the Panjgur judge?
Additional Sessions Judge Asadullah Raisani returned home safely after four days in captivity. He was abducted near Basima on 7 October and released near Gadar.
Have the abductees been recovered?
As of the latest reports, the search was still under way and the whereabouts of the four travellers remained unknown.
