QUETTA, Dec 11: A prominent doctor, working for the Helper Hospital, was kidnapped by unidentified armed men from the Sariab road.

Dr Abdul Aziz was on his way home from his private clinic when unidentified armed men intercepted him on Badini Link Road and took him away.

“The car of Dr Abdul Aziz was found near Bhoosa Mandi at Eastern bypass,” police said, adding that a search had been started for his recovery.

Incidents of kidnapping for ransom have increased across Balochistan, making mockery of claims of the government and law-enforcement agencies about law and order. Earlier, an eye specialist, Dr Saeed Khan, was kidnapped from the same locality in October and was released in November after a ransom of Rs8 million was paid.

In another incident, some unidentified armed men deprived the Medical Superintendent of the Bolan Medical College of his car, cellphone and money. Dr Taj Raisani was on his way home when the armed men intercepted him at joint road, beat him and snatched his car, cellphone and cash.

It may be recalled that doctors in the province have been on strike for the past 56 days, demanding protection and arrest of criminals involved in the kidnapping of Dr Saeed Khan.