WANA, Dec 7: Suspected militants kidnapped four militiamen of the Frontier Corps from a bazaar here on Wednesday, officials said. The militiamen were shopping in the market adjacent to the scouts’ camp when armed men riding two pick-ups came in and picked them up, the sources said.

The camp serves as the headquarters of the political administration in the restive tribal region.

Authorities said they were trying to trace the whereabouts of the kidnapped personnel.

Security situation in the tribal region has worsened over the past few months and several government departments have shifted to safe places after a spate of kidnappings and killing of pro-government tribal elders. The political agent, south, has been operating from Tank district for months now.

AFP adds: Meanwhile, Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed confirmed the kidnapping. ”Yes, four law enforcement personnel are missing and local people have been involved in such incidents (in the past),” Mr Sherpao told a press conference.