23 Hindus kidnapped in Pakistani province

At least 23 Hindus have been kidnapped in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province over the past few months, a top official said Saturday.

Incidents of kidnapping for ransom in Balochistan have increased over a period, forcing the Hindu community to migrate to other parts of the country, provincial Home Secretary Naseebullah Bazai told Dawn News.

At least 70 people were kidnapped from Quetta alone in the last three months. Bazai said that 53 victims have been rescued so far, while the others were yet to be traced.
An anti-kidnapping force has been formed to check the incidents, he said.