LAKKI MARWAT, May 26: Two senior health officials were kidnapped along with the car they were travelling in near Bakhmal Ahmadzai in the jurisdiction of Tajori police station here on Saturday, officials and eyewitnesses said.

They said that Dr Mohammad Ishaq, medical superintendent, District Headquarters Hospital, Lakki, and Dr Abdur Rehman, deputy district officer health, were going to office when some armed men stopped their car in the Bakhmal Ahmadzai area. The kidnappers dragged them out of the car, put them in a double-cabin pick-up and drove away. They also took away the car.

Soon after the incident, a joint team of police and the Frontier Constabulary led by DPO Abdur Rashid Khan combed Tajbikhel, Janikhel and other areas to find the whereabouts of the kidnapped officials.

“We are also seeking help from the local people to track down the kidnappers and secure a safe release of the two doctors,” the DPO told Dawn said.

Residents of Tajori and other villages also formed an armed group to search the health officials.

Meanwhile, doctors, paramedics and staff of the DHQ Hospital held a demonstration in protest against the kidnapping of Dr Mohammad Ishaq and Dr Abdur Rehman.