ISLAMABAD: Eleven employees of a private company traveling from Islamabad to Quetta were abducted near Dera Ismail Khan. According to details, the staff members of ZKB, a private firm, were traveling in three vehicles when they were kidnapped near Domanda Bridge in D.I. Khan.
The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) confirmed the abduction, stating that police action led to the successful recovery of six kidnapped employees. Efforts are still underway to locate the remaining five hostages and apprehend the suspects involved.
Over the past ten years, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan have faced a persistent threat of kidnappings, often linked to terrorism, tribal conflicts, and criminal networks.
Both provinces have seen a significant number of cases involving the abduction of civilians, laborers, traders, political figures, and government employees.
These incidents are frequently reported in border districts, remote areas, and along major highways where law enforcement presence is limited.
In Balochistan, kidnappings have largely been associated with separatist groups, who target non-locals, especially workers from other provinces, to spread fear or demand ransoms.
Similarly, KP has witnessed a range of abduction cases, particularly in tribal and semi-tribal districts, where kidnappers use mountainous terrain for concealment.
While security operations have led to the recovery of many hostages and a reduction in frequency, the overall threat remains.
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Human rights organizations and local media estimate that hundreds of people have been kidnapped in both regions between 2015 and 2025, with some cases still unresolved. The situation highlights the urgent need for improved policing, intelligence coordination, and community engagement to counter this ongoing challenge.
