By Ashrafuddin Pirzada
KHYBER: Four laborers working on a road construction project in the remote Rajgal area of Kokikhel in Tirah valley were abducted by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan militant group and taken to an undisclosed location, local sources said on Monday.
According to details, the kidnapped individuals include excavator operators Haleem Shah, son of Rahim Shah, and Jannat Khan, son of Abdul Karim, both residents of Zhob, Balochistan. The other abductees were identified as Ihsanullah, son of Muhammad Hussain, also from Zhob, and a laborer identified only as Khan. All were engaged in routine construction work when militants forcibly took them to an unidentified location.
A militant group later claimed responsibility for the abduction. However, no verified information has yet emerged regarding the condition or whereabouts of the kidnapped workers.
The incident has sparked fear and panic in the area. Security forces and local authorities have taken notice and launched a search operation.
Meanwhile, strong reactions have come from the public and political circles. Local elders and political leaders have urged the government to ensure effective security for ongoing development projects in the remote areas of the Tirah Valley. They warned that without adequate protection for contractors and laborers, development work could come to a halt, as contractors may be forced to abandon projects due to security concerns.
