QUETTA: Eleven labourers who were abducted by a group of armed men from Duki district around two weeks ago, were released on Friday.

“The 11 labourers have been released and they are safe and sound,” Hamza Shafqaat, the additional chief secretary (home), told Dawn, adding that they had been shifted to a safe place.

On Sept 26, around 40 to 50 unidentified men attacked the SMC Construction Company camp at Palri in Duki district. During the attack, four company vehicles were also set on fire.

One private security guard was killed and another was injured in the incident. The attackers also took away 12 labourers at gunpoint.

After receiving information, the Duki SP, along with other police personnel, FC and other law-enforcement agencies, immediately reached the area, cordoned it off and launched a search operation.

However, the kidnappers killed one of the abductees, identified as Shahid. His body was later dumped in the Kohlu area.

Sources said the authorities had sought the help of tribal elders, who held lengthy negotiations with the kidnappers.

Following successful negotiations between the kidnappers and the tribal elders, 11 labourers were released, the sources added.

Ten of the 11 labourers belong to Rahim Yar Khan in Punjab, while only one is a resident of Duki district.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2026