DERA MURAD JAMALI : Desperate relatives of six labourers kidnapped from Mastung’s Dasht area held an emotional press conference here, demanding immediate government action for their safe return.
Muhammad Bakhsh, speaking alongside seven other family members at the local press club, revealed that the labourers were abducted on October 20 while working in Dasht. The victims include Ali Nawaz, Nazir Ahmed, Attaullah, Muhammad Yaseen, Ghulam Haider, and Naseebullah – all from working-class backgrounds who depend on daily wages to support their families.
The families expressed deep frustration that despite a week passing since the abduction, neither the Balochistan government, police, nor Mastung district administration has made any progress in recovering their loved ones. They described facing severe financial hardship and emotional distress, with some families now confronting hunger due to the loss of their primary breadwinners.
The speakers made a heartfelt appeal to Chief Minister Balochistan, the Home Minister, Inspector General of Police, Kalat Division Commissioner, and Mastung Deputy Commissioner to immediately intervene and secure the labourers’ safe release.
In a separate incident this month three coal miners were abducted from a coal mine by unidentified armed men in the Mach area of Balochistan.
According to reports, the miners were engaged in excavation work when armed assailants arrived, held them at gunpoint, and forced them into a vehicle before fleeing toward an unknown location.
Following the incident, police and security forces reached the site, cordoned off the area, and launched a comprehensive search operation.
Law enforcement officials have assured that all available resources are being utilized to ensure the safe recovery of the abducted workers.
Several checkpoints have been set up across possible escape routes to trace the culprits.
Security sources have expressed concern over the rising number of abduction cases in Balochistan, linking many such incidents to Indian-funded militant groups operating in the province.
These groups are reportedly targeting laborers, engineers, and development projects as part of a broader effort to sabotage progress and create instability in the region.
Authorities have intensified counterterrorism operations to curb such activities and ensure the safety of workers involved in key infrastructure projects.
Authorities in Quetta have meanwhile intensified coordination with local tribal elders to gather intelligence about the abductors’ possible routes and hideouts.
