PESHAWAR: The Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) on Monday managed to recover 14 coal miners who were abducted from Hafiz-ur-Rehman coal mine on Sunday over a dispute between mine owners and the local jirga.
According to reports, security forces recovered the colliers from the Zargon Khel area. They had been abandoned by the kidnappers in Dongay, who had then fled.
Ammunition was also recovered from the mountainous region. A search operation for the abductors is underway and security forces are in consultation with the recovered miners in the matter.
The coal miners worked at a mine owned by Abidur Rehman and were kidnapped from the local market area. Reportedly, the incident took place after evening prayers and two miners managed to escape the custody of the kidnappers. Ten of the 14 miners belong to the Shangla district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
The mine is reportedly owned by the relatives of former parliamentarian Dr Naseem.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Mehmood Khan had earlier taken notice of the incident and instructed the authorities to ensure the safe return of the miners. He had also ordered immediate arrest of the perpetrators.
Hand grenades, pistols and masks were found in the area where the miners were kept overnight.
