Four policemen abducted near Pak-Iran border in Gwadar

QUETTA: Four police personnel were abducted in Gwadar near the Pakistan-Iran maritime border, police said on Thursday.

The missing officers were identified as Niaz Ahmed, Shoaib, Ehsan and Sajid Ali. They had stopped a vehicle carrying Afghan nationals who were allegedly trying to enter Pakistan illegally a day earlier. The individuals were travelling in a Zambad, a vehicle often used for smuggling.

Police officials said the officers informed Kantani post in-charge ASI Musaddaq Ali after detaining the suspects. The ASI directed them to bring the detained individuals to the police station. Police said contact with the four officers was lost shortly afterwards, and authorities believe they were taken hostage by armed men.

Security forces have sealed the area and started a search operation to recover the abducted personnel. No group had claimed responsibility for the incident, while an investigation was under way.