QUETTA: A search operation is underway in Ziarat to recover Assistant Commissioner Muhammad Afzal and his son, who were abducted by unidentified gunmen on Sunday. According to Levies officials, the assailants initially kidnapped the AC, his son, gunman, and driver from the Zezri tourist spot but later released the latter two.
Deputy Commissioner Zakaullah Durani confirmed that the assistant commissioner was visiting a picnic point when armed men intercepted them. After holding the group at gunpoint, the kidnappers set the official vehicle on fire and fled with the AC and his son. Security forces and local authorities have cordoned off the area, but no progress has been made in recovering the abductees so far.
This incident follows the kidnapping of Assistant Commissioner Tump, Mohammad Hanif Norzai, just two months ago. Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have seen a surge in terrorist activities, with militants frequently attempting cross-border infiltrations from Afghanistan. Last week, security forces killed 47 terrorists in Zhob who were allegedly backed by India and trying to enter Pakistan.
According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), the country witnessed 78 terrorist attacks in June alone, resulting in 100 deaths—including 53 security personnel and 39 civilians. The violence underscores the growing security challenges as authorities intensify counter-terrorism operations across the region.
