QUETTA: Three polio workers and two levies men went missing in Balochistan's Zhob district on Friday, sparking fears that they were kidnapped by militants.

Levies sources told Dawn that five persons went missing in Murgha Kibzai area of Zhob district.

The polio workers and levies personnel were coming back to Zhob when their contact was lost.

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"The families lost contact with the polio workers since this morning," a levies official who requested anonymity told Dawn.

It is feared that the missing persons were picked up by militants, he added.

Acts of kidnappings have increased in the area after repeated operations by security forces.

This incident has come a week after abduction of six PTCL workers in the same area.