Reports have emerged of the abduction of another senior police officer from Washuk, adding to growing concerns over the deteriorating security situation across Balochistan.
According to information received, armed men abducted Superintendent of Washuk Police Shafiq Shahwani at gunpoint and took him to an undisclosed location. Police officials have formally confirmed the abduction.
Following reports of the incident, police and other security agencies launched search operations in and around the area. However, officials said they have so far been unable to secure the recovery of the abducted officer.
The latest incident comes amid a series of violent developments reported since clashes began in different parts of Balochistan following BLA’s announcement of the second phase of “Operation Herof.” During this period, several senior police officers have reportedly been abducted or killed. These incidents include the killing of a Deputy Superintendent of Police and a Station House Officer (SHO)Detai, as well as the detention of a police inspector along with multiple personnel by armed men in the Kachhi area.
In separate incidents, armed men reportedly detained the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner in Nushki and later forced them to leave the town. Several personnel of the Counter Terrorism Department have also been reported abducted during the same period.
In one statement issued during the ongoing situation, the Baloch Liberation Army said it had released Deputy Commissioner Noshki Muhammad Hussain Hazara and Assistant Commissioner Maria Shamoo, who were detained during fighting in the district. The group said the officials were freed on what it described as humanitarian grounds and reiterated its claim that it does not target police, Levies or civil administration officials unless they resist its fighters, while issuing warnings to local officials against obstructing its activities.