http://elpais.com/elpais/2014/01/22/inenglish/1390416358_353665.html?rel=rosEP A Spanish cyclist attempting to traverse the globe survived a suspected kidnap attempt in the volatile Pakistan province of Balochistan on Wednesday. Francisco Javier Colorado Soriano, 27, was being escorted through Mastung district by a 12-man police security team in two vehicles, which was assaulted about 50 kilometers west of the provincial capital, Quetta, at around 10am...
holy shit! Spanish cyclist is now in stable condition at hospital, lucky he's not dead .. why push your luck by traveling through such a volatile part of the world? ------- QUETTA: At least seven Levies personnel were killed and ten others, including a Spanish tourist, wounded as a militant kidnapping bid was foiled in Koshak area of Balochistan, DawnNews reported. Asad ur Rehman Gailani, the Home Secretary Balochistan said the militants opened fire at levies personnel escorting a Spanish tourist in Darin Garh area of Mastung. "Militants wanted to kidnap the Spanish tourist", he added. At least seven Levies men were killed during the clash whereas ten others including the Spanish national were wounded. The condition of the tourist was reported as critical. Moreover, one of the attackers was also killed during the exchange of gunfire who was later identified as a Uzbek national. The Spanish tourist was on his way from Pak-Iran border Taftan to Quetta when the militants tried to abduct him. "The Spanish tourist is stable and doctors are providing medical treatment to him in a hospital", Gailani said. All injuredwere shifted to Civil Hospital Mastung for medical treatment where the condition of one person was reported as critical.
The cyclist is fine and he will continue riding to India. Sadly the security guards weren't so lucky.
Why not ? ? ? This is Adventurerider, not Stay-home-and-be-safe-rider, or We-can-meet-at-Starbucks-rider . . . . . .
if it's your desire to travel in a war zone .. don't be surprised if you get shot at. by all means please do go .. don't forget to take lots of pic's :eek1
Yeah, Adventure riding is cool, and there are loads of people riding way more adventurous places than me, but I don't think riding into a conflict or kidnapping situation is on anyone's bucket list. Everything is a risk and it's a matter of mitigating that risk, weighing your choices.
I'm certain both he and the police made evaluations on the relative safety of their trip. I've been in a few places that others wouldn't go. We all make choices, some of us live our lives with interest, others are dull. Your choice to make what you will of it. But don't try to judge others' choices, that IS upto them. Asking why do such and such .. well Why ride a motorcycle cy? People die riding them... many more than die in Balochistan. There are attractions in Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, even the USA or riding a motorcycle.
no disagreement ... but please don't mistake asking "why push your luck by traveling through such a volatile part of the world?" with judging someone. if it's someone's dream to cycle through a war zone volatile enough to need a police escort. then go right ahead .. just don't be surprised when shots go flying and please do take lots of pic's :eek1
Hmmmm . . . . . Well, wondering who was judging whom . . . . . Just stay home nice and safe, and think twice before commenting here, m'kay ? RTW is RTW . . . . . . Many RTW riders have routed thru dangerous regions, usually knowing the risks. Sometimes there are no, or limited (by $$$$$) safe work arounds. No offense intended to you, but I respect these RTW riders decisions and most of them have researched their route in-depth.
I'll bet the relatives of the security team that were killed will get great consolation out of knowing their loved ones died protecting a nitwit who wanted to ride a bicycle through a war zone.
^^^^ This. I dont give a crap where you want to ride. Just dont drag other people into your shitstorm.
Traveled (quite a little while ago) in situations where needed to have military escorts - Egypt, Sri Lanka, even the south of Thailand . . . . . These were probably better described as "terrorist zones" than "war zones". At the time, nothing happened, of course the government soldiers were just doing thier jobs, whatever . . . . . Because I was a visitor, was I provoking the terrorists ? ? ? . . . . . Or should I have stayed at home ? btw-was backpacker traveling on local buses at the time, not moto, but also not on the glitzy tour bus.
In some parts of the world you don't have a choice about being 'escorted' ... Pakistan is one such place. In fact most people don't want the escort! I've been to Kandy (Sri Lanka) .. nice place. Someone tried to pick my pocket on the bus to Sigiriva (Sri Lanka), I'd still visit. I've been assaulted not 20 miles from my home... I still leave home. There are a few evil people everywhere, traveling makes you more a little vulnerable to both the good and the bad. There are Police that try to remove risks, should those victims of crime not call them? Same thing with the escorts... except the escorts are usually forced on you .. wanted or not.