Pakistan: Five Hindu children abducted in Balochistan

Armed men kidnapped five children belonging to minority Hindu community from Balochistan's volatile Jaffarabad district on Wednesday, senior officials said.

Syed Zafar Ali Shah, the Deputy Commissioner Jaffarabad told Dawn.com that the children were going to school when abducted by the armed men near Dera Allah Yar. He, however, added that four accused belonging to a local tribe were arrested in connection with the kidnapping.

“The ages of children are between five to 10,” Syed Ashfaq Ahmed, the District Police Officer Jaffarabad said. He said one of the local journalists was also arrested during police raid with regard to the incident.

The deputy commissioner stated that the kidnappers had shifted all five children to Rato Dero area of Sindh.

“Very soon, we will recover the children unharmed,” vowed Shah.

The children belong to an ancient Hindu community living in Dera Allah Yar area of Balochistan and they are daughters and sons of well-known Hindu trader and newspaper agent Saith Bhojraj.

The deputy commissioner stated that the children were coming back from school when abducted by the armed men.

Balochistan Police also approached Rato Dero Police for the recovery of kidnapped children.

It is, however, yet to be confirmed that whether it was a family dispute or the children were kidnapped for ransom, police said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the kidnapping.

Jaffarabad is considered to be one of the most sensitive districts of Balochistan.

Kidnapping for ransom in the area remained rampant. Besides this, the area is also considered to be one of the hubs of militants targeting vital national installations and the security forces.