Journalist kidnapped in Quetta

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 10 November 2015

Afzal Mughal, a journalist with Daily Mashriq, was abducted from his home in Quetta and held for 15 hours. Police have launched an investigation into the incident.

Summary

QUETTA: Afzal Mughal, a journalist with Urdu language newspaper Daily Mashriq was abducted from his home in Quetta Tuesday and released 15 hours later. Police said that at least eight masked gunmen broke into Mughal's home, dragged him into a waiting vehicle and drove away. He was later dropped outside his house. It was not immediately clear who the kidnappers were. Nbcnews.com quoted Mughal as saying his captors asked him "hundreds of questions" about his family, professional life, and phone calls from banned militant groups that he said he received as part of his job.

Meanwhile, Online news agency reported that Mughal, a resident of Shahbaz Town, worked as a sub-editor with a local news agency. His wife lodged a complaint with the local police that 10 armed masked men broke into their house at midnight and held family members hostage at gun point. She told the police the attackers tortured her husband before kidnapping him. The police have registered a case and started investigations. Committee to Protect Journalists says threats to journalists stream from military and intelligence agencies, political parties, criminal groups and militants, and corrupt local leaders.

KEY POINTS:

• Afzal Mughal was kidnapped by eight masked gunmen.
• He was held for 15 hours before being released.
• Mughal reported being questioned about his profession and contacts.
• His wife reported that the kidnappers tortured him.
• Police have registered a case and are investigating the incident.