The families of six footballers who were abducted in Dera Bugti, Balochistan, last week are growing increasingly concerned as the relevant authorities have failed to recover the athletes after three days. The football players were kidnapped by armed men in the Kachhi canal area of Sui Tehsil while on their way to participate in the qualifying round of the All Pakistan Chief Minister Gold Cup Football tournament in Sibi.
Out of the 24 players who were traveling together, 18 were released by the kidnappers, while the remaining six, all from Dera Bugti and Sui areas, are still missing. The interim Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti and Balochistan’s Home Minister retired captain Zubair Ahmed Jamali have taken the matter seriously and have directed officials to conduct a search operation.
The families, however, expressed their disappointment at the district administration’s lack of assistance and communication regarding the recovery of their children. One family member stated that without any assurance or updates from the authorities, they cannot support or oppose an operation. They fear that any action taken at this point could put the lives of their loved ones at risk.
The families have appealed to caretaker Balochistan Chief Minister Ali Mardan Khan Domki and other officials to ensure the safe recovery of the footballers. Meanwhile, a protest is taking place in Sui to highlight the authorities’ failure to recover the footballers for the past two days.
Although security forces have arrested seven suspects in connection with the kidnapping, there is still no information about the whereabouts of the athletes. The kidnappers have not claimed responsibility for the abduction, but the interior minister has stated that they belong to the banned Baloch Republican Army.