- 20 police trainees abducted by armed men in Balochistan.
- Incident occurred in Mastung as recruits returned from Kalat.
- Security forces launched search operation, tightened regional security.
20 police trainees have been abducted by unidentified armed men in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, prompting security forces to launch a search operation and increase security in the surrounding areas. The recruits were travelling home on leave from a training centre in Kalat when gunmen intercepted their vehicle in Mastung district on Friday evening.
According to officials cited by CNN-News18, the attackers are suspected to be Baloch separatists, although no group has claimed responsibility for the abduction.
The incident took place in the Gorgina area, where armed men on motorcycles stopped a passenger van carrying the recruits from the Kalat Recruit Training Centre. The gunmen forced the driver to take the vehicle with them before releasing him and three other passengers. The 20 trainees were taken away to an undisclosed location.
According to PTI, Security forces have launched a manhunt to trace the missing personnel, setting up checkpoints in and around Mastung. Security has also been tightened in neighbouring areas as investigations continue.
The abducted recruits were undergoing training after serving in the Levies Force, which was subsequently merged with the police. Officials said the personnel belonged to Balochistan’s Rakhshan division.
No Group Claims Responsibility For Abduction
The identity of the abductors and their motive remain unknown. The kidnapping comes amid continued security operations in Balochistan against banned separatist organisations and the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The province, which borders Afghanistan and Iran, has witnessed repeated attacks on security personnel, government officials and civilians. Abductions along highways and attacks on police checkpoints have added to concerns about security in the region.
Balochistan Sees Fresh Security Concerns
Balochistan has witnessed several attacks targeting civilians and security personnel. In July, attacks at multiple locations included an incident at a police checkpoint near Mangi Dam in Ziarat, where nine personnel were killed and 18 others abducted. The bodies of the abducted personnel were later found in the Zarghoon Gar area.
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Last month, security forces reportedly killed five suspected terrorists and recovered 23 hostages abducted from a highway checkpoint in Kalat.
In a separate incident, armed men allegedly set fire to cargo-laden trucks near Turbat. The incident is under investigation, according to sources.
According to the BYC’s human rights assessment covering January to June 2026, the organisation documented 507 alleged enforced disappearances in Balochistan, including 135 cases involving students, teachers and researchers. It also alleged that 32 missing people had been killed in custody. These figures are claims made by the organisation and have not been independently verified.
Civilian Safety Concerns In Mastung
Mastung has also featured in recent reports of violence affecting civilians. On October 9, two men, identified by the BYC as Javed Hammad and Allah Bakhsh, were reportedly seriously injured when a drone struck outside a house in the Khadkocha area.
The BYC accused Pakistani security forces of putting civilian lives at risk through the use of drones and fighter jets in populated areas. It called for independent investigations and accountability. The allegations have not been independently verified.
Meanwhile, the search for the 20 abducted police trainees remains underway. Authorities have not announced any arrests or confirmed the recruits’ whereabouts.
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