Gunmen abduct 2 Chinese workers in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province

Two Chinese citizens, including a woman, were abdcuted by unknown gunmen from Pakistan's restive Balochistan province, Dawn Online reported on Wednesday. The incident may raise concerns in China over its investment plans in the neighbouring country. 

The two were abducted from Jinnah Town area of provincial capital Quetta.

According to witnesses, the unidentified men tried to abduct three of the foreigners, two women and one man. However, one of them managed to escape.

The report said that abductors forced the two into a vehicle at gunpoint and drove away.

A passerby was injured after one of the abductors opened fire at the scene. Police and Frontier Corps personnel reached the scene of the abduction to initiate an investigation. Jinnah Town is one of the affluent residential areas of the city.

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Balochistan chief minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri has ordered an immediate inquiry into the abduction.

He directed the Balochistan inspector general of police to take immediate steps for an early recovery of the Chinese workers.

Chinese interest in Balochistan has spiked in recent years after the announcement of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which plans to connect Pakistani port of Gwadar to Xinjiang in China.

In the past, China has asked Islamabad to improve security, especially in Balochistan, where China is building a new port and funding roads as part of the CPEC.