QUETTA: Security forces claimed on Tuesday to have arrested nine men in connection with the kidnapping and killing of eight labourers in Sakran area, near the industrial town of Hub.

According to officials, the suspects were detained during an operation launched by police and personnel of other law-enforcement agencies in Sakran and adjoining areas.

A group of men had kidnapped 11 labourers from a poultry farm in Sakran about 10 days ago. Later, the bodies of eight of them were found in a mountainous area near Sakran.

Also read: Bodies of eight labourers recovered in Balochistan

One man who had been seriously injured was found lying near the bodies. The gunmen let go two others who were from Lasbela district.

The victims had come to Hub last month from Muzaffargarh and Rahimyar Khan in Punjab after their native areas had been devastated by recent floods.

“During the operation which continued for seven hours, nine suspects were taken into custody,” Lasbela District Police Officer Bashir Ahmed Brohi said, adding that they were being interrogated.

Published in Dawn, October 29th , 2014