ISLAMABAD — The Russian embassy in Pakistan announced on Tuesday that it is in the process of confirming reports regarding the kidnapping of one of its nationals in the country’s conflict-prone northwest region.

The embassy did not provide additional information in its communication posted on the social media platform X.

This announcement follows claims made by a small militant faction led by commander Gul Bahadur, who stated that they had captured a Russian citizen in Dera Ismail Khan, a district located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The group also shared an image that appears to show a man seated alongside two individuals with beards. However, local police reported that there has been no communication from the Russian Embassy concerning the alleged abduction.

While there have been numerous assaults by insurgents against Pakistani security personnel and foreign nationals, particularly targeting Chinese individuals involved in projects financed by China, Russians have not historically found themselves in the crosshairs of such attacks.

Typically, the majority of Russian visitors to Pakistan are mountaineers who explore the breathtaking landscapes of the northern regions.