Who is Hanif Noorzai? Assistant Commissioner kidnapped in Balochistan

QUETTA: In a shocking incident early Wednesday morning, Assistant Commissioner Tump, Muhammad Hanif Noorzai, was kidnapped by armed men while traveling with his family in Tagranabad, Kech district of Balochistan, according to ARY News.

The attack happened as Noorzai and his family were en route to Quetta. According to Deputy Commissioner Kech, Bashir Ahmed Barech, 6 to 8 armed militants stopped their vehicle, kidnapped Noorzai, and left behind his wife, children, driver, and bodyguard on the roadside.

Search Operation Launched

Soon after the abduction, local authorities began a search operation along Zubaida Jalal Road, a key route in the region. The local administration has also sought the support of tribal elders to help secure Hanif Noorzai’s safe and early recovery.

About Tump, Balochistan

Tump is a tehsil located in Kech district, near the Pakistan-Iran border. The area has witnessed security challenges in recent years, and this incident highlights the risks faced by civil officials operating in remote zones.

This incident follows a strong statement made a day earlier by DG ISPR Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, who said: “Balochistan can never be separated from Pakistan. It is deeply connected to our economy, culture, and national identity.”

Speaking during the Hilal Talks 2025 program, he emphasized that Kashmir is also an inseparable part of Pakistan and that Indian interference is a major reason behind terrorism and unrest in Balochistan.

He added: “Terrorists in Balochistan are trained and funded by India, using Afghanistan as their base. These agents are enemies of peace and development in the region.”