6 people including petroleum company drivers abducted in northwest Pakistan

The abductions were made in two separate incidents in Bannu district, bordering north Waziristan, on Wednesday.

Peshawar: At least six people, including drivers of a petroleum company and irrigation department officials, were abducted by unidentified men in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, police said on Thursday.

Four drivers of a petroleum company were abducted along with four trucks from the Baka Khel area.

Separately, two officials of the Irrigation Department were abducted during a canal inspection in Pipal Bazar, Banda Daud Shah tehsil.

The police have registered cases in both incidents and started a massive search operation to nab the culprits.

According to data obtained from the Bannu district administration, 23 people have been kidnapped in the district in the last one and a half months.

It includes officials from private companies, teachers, polio workers, the principal of a private school and retired security personnel.

Of the total 23 abductions, seven captives have been recovered while the remaining 16 remain missing, including five employees of a power company abducted almost a month ago.

Bannu is one of the most restive districts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province where terrorists and militants are active against the security forces, police and government officials.