Armed men kidnapped three coal miners in Duki coal field area of Balochistan on Friday, media reports said.

The officials told Dawn News that miners were identified as Johar Khan Ishaqzai, Shah Khan and Bacha Khan Yousafzai and two of them belonged to Shangla area of Swat while the third one hailed from Quetta.

A heavy contingent of Levies Force and personnel of other law enforcement agencies reached the spot and challenged the armed attackers.

However, in an ensuing exchange of fire, the kidnappers managed to flee along with the coal miners, reported Dawn News.

No group has responsibility for the incident.

Officials believe men belonging to a banned group kidnapped the miners for ransom.