QUETTA: The emir of the Balochistan wing of the Jamaat Ahle Hadees, Maulana Ali Muhammad Abu Turab, was kidnapped along with his son, secretary and guard in the Airport Road area on Friday.

Police officials said that Maulana Abu Turab’s vehicle was found abandoned in the Sheikh Manda area, near the same road.

Some gunmen intercepted the car of the religious leader, who is also a member of the Council of Islamic Ideology, near the Sheikh Manda area and took him, his son Abdul Hameed, secretary Abdul Sattar and guard Yaqoob away on gunpoint, police said.

SSP Nasibullah Khan confirmed the incident. A heavy contingent of law enforcement personnel had reached the area and cordoned it off, he said.

“Four men travelling in a Land Cruiser intercepted the cleric’s car on gunpoint and took him and three others away,” said Mr Khan while quoting eyewitnesses.

A police team comprising senior investigators visited the crime scene and collected evidence. Fingerprints were also taken from the abandoned vehicle.

“We are investigating the incident, keeping all aspects in mind,” another police officer told Dawn.

No individual or group immediately claimed responsibility for the kidnapping. Interestingly, the elder brother of Maulana Abu Turab, Habibullah Mujahid, was kidnapped by some armed men about three years ago. The kidnappers set him free after six months.

Balochistan’s Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti visited the religious leader’s residence and met his family members. He condemned the incident and assured the family that all possible steps would be taken to recover the kidnapped people.

Published in Dawn, September 9th, 2017