HYDERABAD, Dec 7: Tension prevails in Kot Bugti, the residence of Saleem Bugti, son of slain Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Bugti, following a raid and search operation by law-enforcement agencies on Wednesday.

During the raid, security personnel picked up more than 20 villagers — peasants and servants of the Bugti family — and freed them after interrogation.

According to reports, law-enforcement personnel had picked up Aali Bugti, the son-in-law of Saleem Bugti, Jangi Bugti, a close associate of the late Akbar Bugti, and a visitor from Balochistan.

It is believed that the raid was aimed at arresting Mir Aali, a grandson of Nawab Bugti, but he was reportedly not present in Kot Bugti.

After the raid, the law-enforcement personnel sealed the main gate and rooms of the fortress, besides demolishing security guard rooms.

A checkpost has been set up and a contingent of police deployed in the village surrounding the fortress.

Kot Bugti is a fortress spread over six acres of land awarded to the Bugtis by the British colonial government in the Sanghar district for helping quell Hur armed resistance led by Soorah Badshah, the present Pir Pagara’s father.