No news on missing Swiss couple in Pakistan: police

Islamabad, July 3, IRNA – There is no information about the whereabouts of a Swiss couple tourists kidnapped in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province on Friday evening, the provincial police chief said on Saturday.

Police said the couple went missing in Loralai, a district some 160 kilometers east of Quetta, capital city of Balochistan Province after they entered the area from eastern Punjab province.

The couple entered Balochistan Province from Dera Ghazi Khan in Punjab Province and registered themselves as husband and wife at a police checkpoint, police said.

The Balochistan Police Chief, Rao Amin Hashim, said on Saturday that the police have so far not received any information about the whereabouts of the missing Swiss couple. He said that all resources are being channelized to recover the Swiss nationals.

Sources said that Swiss embassy has also contacted the government of Pakistan and sought help to recover the missing couple.

Deputy Commissioner in Loralai district, Sohail Rehman, said that three armed men in a car kidnapped the tourists and no group has claimed responsibility so far.

Police sources said that professional robbers may be behind the kidnapping for ransom.

Officials said the security agencies had declared a high alert and increased search of vehicles in the area after the kidnapping but there has been no clue so far.

A police officer in Loralai said that the couple -- Ocholivier David and Wipmerderielaay Omer – had mentioned them as tourists with the police at an entry point.

Officials said that the couple should have informed the authorities about their visit at least three days ago.

Sources said that the unidentified gunmen intercepted the couple's vehicle in Killi Niga area of Loralai district and took them at gunpoint to an unknown place./end