Armed men abducted the Assistant Commissioner of Tump, Muhammad Hanif Noorzai, while he was en route from Turbat to Quetta earlier this morning, official sources have confirmed.
According to initial reports, the incident occurred near the area of Sarenkan, where unidentified gunmen intercepted the vehicle carrying the assistant commissioner. Mr Noorzai was reportedly travelling to Quetta on an official administrative assignment when the abduction took place. The motive behind the kidnapping remains unclear at this stage. Security forces arrived at the scene and have launched an investigation.
In a statement released to the media, the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) claimed responsibility for the abduction. A spokesperson for the BLF stated that the group’s operatives apprehended Assistant Commissioner Noorzai based on intelligence received from its covert wing.
The spokesperson further said that, in line with the organisation’s humanitarian and ethical principles, Mr Noorzai’s family members, along with his official driver and security personnel, were treated with full respect and safely released. They were subsequently sent back to their residence.
The Assistant Commissioner, however, has been handed over to the BLF’s investigative unit for further inquiry. The group said it would announce its decision regarding Mr Noorzai upon the conclusion of their investigation.
The BLF also issued a warning through the media, stating that any military or aggressive actions by Pakistani state forces to recover the assistant commissioner would be met with consequences. The group emphasised that the responsibility for any potential escalation or losses would lie solely with the Pakistani state institutions.
Security and administrative authorities have yet to issue an official response to the BLF’s statement.