Police in the city of Quetta in Balochistan province said three Chinese nationals were abducted by four unidentified persons at gunpoint in front of a restaurant at Jinnah Town on Wednesday.

According to the police, the abducted persons were identified as Li Xin Heng, Meng Li and Lu Ling Li, all three instructors in a local Chinese language centre. A passer-by, Tahir, sustained bullet wounds while he tried to thwart the abduction. Police said the four men arrived in a vehicle without a number plate.

Tahir’s brother told the police the kidnappers forced the Chinese nationals into their vehicle at gunpoint and shot Tahir for resisting their attempt. Doctors said Tahir was out of danger, the brother added.

Officials said the police have cordoned off the area and started search operations to nab the abductors. Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri has directed the police and security agencies to find the abducted persons.

Balochistan province has seen a sharp increase in Chinese visitors over the past couple of years as Pakistan and China have been working closely on the China Pakistan Economic Corridor.