PESHAWAR (TIP): At least six Pakistani tribal policemen, escorting a Spanish cyclist, were on January 24 killed and the tourist critically injured as militants tried to abduct him in the highly volatile southwest Balochistan province.

Militants tried to abduct a Spanish tourist, travelling on a bicycle from Dalbandin area of Balochistan, triggering an exchange of gunfire between the militants and Levies personnel, the local tribal police. At least six Levies men were killed during the clash while 10 others, including the Spanish national, were injured.

The kidnapping bid that occurred in Koshak was foiled while the injured were shifted to a hospital in Mastung district. The Levies personnel were accompanying the Spaniard — said to be a cycling tourist who was coming through Iran into Pakistan — for security.