The vice chancellor of Gwadar University, along with three others abducted 12 days ago near Mastung’s Khad Kocha area, was safely recovered during a security operation on Sunday.

According to security sources, VC Dr Abdul Razzaq Sabir, Pro-VC Dr Syed Manzoor Ahmed, VC’s Personal Staff Officer Dr Muhammad Irshad, and driver Hatam Khan were traveling by car to Quetta on May 13 when armed men intercepted them in the Khad Kocha area of Mastung.

The assailants set up a blockade and forcibly abducted all four people. Following the incident, security forces launched an extensive search operation to ensure their safe recovery.

Sources said the abductees were recovered from the Kardgap area of Mastung during a continued search and clearance operation. After their recovery, all four individuals were transported to Quetta.

Security agencies remained actively engaged in efforts to trace and recover the kidnapped officials since the day of the incident. The successful recovery comes after nearly two weeks of sustained operations in the area.

Balochistan has been witnessing a low key insurgency for over two decades. The province, the biggest in terms of area but smallest in terms of population, shares long and porous borders with Iran and Afghanistan; the latter is often accused of serving as a hotbed of terrorist organizations of various hues.