RAWALPINDI, Dec 13: A trailer carrying goods to Afghanistan under the transit trade was hijacked by five highwaymen from Chontra area, the outskirts of Rawalpindi, the president container association and the police said on Monday.

The incident took place when one of the trailer's tyres punctured near Chontra on service area of the Motorway and helpers of the truck (JU-788) Ghulam Qadir and Zaheer were replacing it.

A gang of five unidentified gunmen appeared on the scene and held its driver Mohammad Waqas and two helpers hostage and tied them.

As two of the gunmen guarded the truck driver and his helpers, three others replaced the tyre and left for undisclosed destination along with the trailer, leaving their two accomplices behind.

Several hours later, the remaining two gunmen also escaped from the scene making sure that the hijacked trailer might have reached its destination. The president, Lahore Container Association, Malik Rafiq, when contacted confirmed that a container carrying shipment of goods for Afghanistan was hijacked by five unidentified gunmen from Chontra.

He said a similar incident had already happened on Faisalabad-Jhang section when a container carrying goods valuing Rs9 million was hijacked, though, it was later traced through tracking system and the goods recovered.

Spokesman of National Highway and Motorway Police while confirming the incident said the police had enhanced patrolling. —Staff Reporter