In a shocking and concerning incident, 11 employees of a private company traveling from Islamabad to Quetta were abducted on Wednesday near the Drazanda Domanda Highway in Dera Ismail Khan (D.I. Khan). Law enforcement authorities have since rescued six of the abducted individuals, while efforts to recover the remaining five continue.
The Incident
According to initial reports, a convoy of three vehicles was en route from the capital city of Islamabad to Quetta, carrying 16 employees of a private company. While traveling along the remote Drazanda Domanda Highway—a known trouble spot due to its isolated location and occasional law and order concerns—the convoy was intercepted by unidentified armed men.
The abductors stopped two of the three vehicles and forcibly removed 11 passengers at gunpoint. The third vehicle managed to escape the ambush, and five of its occupants evaded capture and contacted authorities immediately after the incident.
Swift Response by Security Forces
Following the report, local police and security forces swiftly launched a coordinated search and rescue operation. Roadblocks were established in surrounding areas, and search parties were deployed into the rugged terrain believed to be used by the kidnappers.
By evening, six of the 11 abducted individuals were successfully rescued in a joint operation involving the police, Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), and Frontier Corps (FC). The details surrounding the rescue have not yet been disclosed, likely due to ongoing tactical operations to recover the remaining five hostages.
Motive Still Unclear
Authorities have yet to publicly confirm the motive behind the abduction. No group has claimed responsibility so far, and the abductors have not made any ransom demands or political statements. However, security analysts believe that the incident may be linked to local criminal gangs or militant elements operating in the border regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
D.I. Khan and its adjoining areas have witnessed sporadic violence in the past, including targeted attacks, sectarian violence, and occasional kidnappings. Given the strategic location of the district near tribal regions and the Afghan border, law enforcement officials remain vigilant about the security threats that exist in the area.
Government and Public Reaction
The incident has sparked concern and outrage both locally and nationally. Citizens have expressed alarm over the deteriorating security situation in certain parts of the country, especially on highways that connect major cities and are expected to be secure.
A spokesperson for the private company involved stated, “Our top priority is the safety and swift return of our employees. We are in constant communication with the authorities and are doing everything we can to support the investigation.”
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa condemned the incident and directed security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure the safe recovery of the remaining abductees. "No stone should be left unturned. Such acts of violence will not be tolerated," he said in an official statement.
Security Reinforced in the Region
In response to the abduction, security in and around D.I. Khan has been heightened. Additional police forces and paramilitary units have been deployed to monitor entry and exit routes. Surveillance has been increased on remote roads, and mobile checkpoints have been established in an attempt to locate the kidnappers and prevent further incidents.
Law enforcement officials have also urged travelers to use safer, more populated routes when traveling between cities and to inform local authorities of their travel plans if they are passing through high-risk areas.
Calls for Better Protection of Workers
This incident has once again highlighted the vulnerability of private sector employees, especially those required to travel to remote or conflict-prone regions. Labor rights groups and civil society activists have called on the government and companies to develop better risk management and security protocols for employees.
“The government must ensure safe travel infrastructure and provide protection to all citizens, regardless of their profession or location,” said Amina Baloch, a human rights advocate. “No one should be exposed to such danger while simply doing their job.”
Conclusion
As the search continues for the five employees still missing, hopes remain high that they will be recovered unharmed. The swift partial success of the rescue operation demonstrates the capabilities of Pakistan’s security forces, but also underscores the persistent challenges in maintaining law and order in certain regions. The nation watches closely as authorities work to bring all victims home safely and ensure justice is served to those responsible for this brazen act of abduction.
Reference: کوئٹہ جانے والے نجی کمپنی کے 11 ملازم اغوا، 6 بازیاب
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