Chinese tourist reportedly kidnapped in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD  -- A Chinese tourist was kidnapped by unknown militants in Pakistan's northwest Dera Ismail Khan district Monday afternoon, local media reported Tuesday.

Dawn news said on its website that the abducted tourist was on his way from Pakistan's eastern Lahore city to southwest Quetta city when he went missing in Darban area of Dera Ismail Khan, a district located in the country's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The tourist, named Hong Xudong, was traveling in the country on his bicycle.

Police found Hong's bicycle and his other belongings from the area, and a search operation was underway.

Officials said that Hong was kidnapped at about 2:30 pm ( local time) on Monday afternoon.

Pervez Khattak, chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, took notice of the incident and directed police to make early recovery of the tourist, according to the report.

An official of the Chinese embassy in Pakistan, when approached by Xinhua, said the embassy is contacting Pakistan's relevant departments to verify the incident.