A senior official of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has reportedly been abducted from his Islamabad apartment building’s parking lot, in what appears to be the latest incident in a troubling pattern of disappearances involving the agency’s own personnel.
According to credible sources, the officer—who served as Director of Operations and Personal Staff Officer to the Director General (DG) NCCIA—was taken by unidentified individuals last week. Witnesses told investigators that men in civilian clothes arrived in multiple vehicles, intercepted the officer as he entered his car, and quickly drove off toward an undisclosed location.
Growing Wave of NCCIA Disappearances
The abduction has sent shockwaves through Pakistan’s cyber-crime community, with several insiders confirming that at least three other NCCIA officers have recently gone missing. Officials familiar with the matter suggest that these disappearances may be linked to “institutional inquiries” into ongoing, high-profile investigations.
“These are not ordinary kidnappings,” said a senior government source familiar with the situation. “They appear to be part of a broader internal operation related to sensitive cyber probes handled by the agency.”
Official Silence Raises Questions
Despite mounting public concern, no statement has been issued by the Ministry of Interior or the NCCIA’s media wing regarding the incident. Islamabad Police have not registered a formal case, citing the absence of an official complaint from the agency.
The families of the missing officials have reportedly been warned to remain silent, further deepening fears of official involvement.
Human rights observers have voiced alarm, calling for a transparent investigation. “If officers from a federal investigation agency can be abducted without trace, it raises serious concerns about rule of law and accountability,” said a spokesperson for the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP).
Background: High-Stakes Cyber Investigations
The NCCIA has recently been engaged in several politically sensitive probes, including digital espionage, financial cybercrime, and data leaks tied to government institutions. Analysts say these cases may have triggered internal friction among agencies overseeing Pakistan’s cybersecurity and intelligence domains.
“This situation highlights growing tensions between oversight bodies and operational units,” said a cybersecurity policy expert in Islamabad. “Such actions could severely undermine Pakistan’s credibility in managing cyber governance.”
Current Status
As of Monday evening, the whereabouts of the abducted NCCIA officer remain unknown. No group has claimed responsibility, and no progress has been reported in tracing the vehicle or individuals involved.
Officials close to the investigation say a quiet internal review is underway to determine whether the disappearances are connected to internal misconduct or broader institutional power struggles.
