A Kurdish farmer went missing from a village in the Pirde area along the Kirkuk-Erbil highway yesterday evening, sparking fears among his family that he was abducted by unidentified gunmen after his vehicle was found abandoned this morning.

The farmer, identified as 37-year-old Hardi Zainal, disappeared from Qazanfar village. Zainal, a father of four, had traveled to the area to inspect his crops before losing contact with his family and failing to return. 

Security Forces Launch Sweeping Search 

Channel8's Kirkuk correspondent reported that the missing farmer's pickup truck was found abandoned near Kitka village in Pirde this morning. 

With the discovery of the vehicle, the Iraqi Army and local security forces launched a sweeping search operation alongside his relatives to locate Zainal and determine his fate.

Authorities Suspect Abduction 

Given that the vehicle was found completely abandoned, authorities strongly suspect the farmer was abducted by unidentified gunmen. 

The region has a history of insecurity, with multiple cases of kidnapping and highway robbery for ransom previously documented in the area. 

Second Armed Encounter Spurred by Recent Escape 

The incident follows a similar encounter just a few nights ago, when three armed men intercepted a resident in Nabyawa village, though the individual successfully escaped.