Six football players were kidnapped in Dera Bugti on Saturday as they were travelling to the neighbouring district of Sibi to participate in a tournament.

The players were travelling to Sibi to participate in the CM Gold Cup qualifier, said Dera Bugti Deputy Commissioner Azhar Shahzad.

The incident happened when the team representing the Dera Bugti district was passing by the Kachhi Canal on the outskirts of Dera Bugti.

Sources in the Levies told Aaj News that the players who were abducted include Amir, Faisal, Sohail Ahmed, Yasir, Shiraz, and Muhammad Babar.

A total of 18 players were travelling in a small pickup truck. The motive behind the kidnappings was not immediately clear. A search for the abductee was under way.

Interim Sports Minister in Balochistan Nawabzada Raisani has taken notice of the abduction.

Raisani contacted the deputy commissioner and asked him to ensure the speedy and safe recovery of the sportsmen.

Since Saturday morning the state institutions were busy in rescue efforts, Shahzad said and assured that the abducted sportsmen would soon be recovered.