Deputy Commissioner Killed in Firing by Unknown in Balochistan while Baloch Rights March of Mahrang Baloch is Going On

Quetta: 12 Aug 2024 – Deputy Commissioner of Panjgur district of Balochistan, Zakir Baloch was killed and Municipal Committee Chairman Abdul Malik Baloch got injured when unidentified men opened fire at his vehicle in Mastung near Quetta on Monday.Zakir was the younger brother of former provincial minister and current MPA Mir Saleh Rehmat Baloch.

The heinous attack on the top bureaucracy of the province has been conducted at a time when renown activist Dr Mahrang Baloch is leading a march of the baloch citizens including a large number of women and children in different cities after starting it from Gwadar. The federal gov is expected to open International Air Port in Gwadar on 14th Aug, the independence day of Pakistan.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti condemned the killing and expressed condolences to the bereaved family. He directed the relevant authorities to “immediately” arrest the terrorists responsible.

In another incident, seven people were injured in a remote-controlled bomb blast in the Satellite Town area of Quetta’s Challabahar neighbourhood.

In a separate incident, a hand grenade attack was carried out on a government girls’ school in the Sariab Mill Colony area of Quetta. No casualties were reported in the explosion. After the blast, the police cordoned off the area.

Over the past 24 hours, four incidents of terrorism have been reported in Quetta, in which 13 government officials were injured.

The provincial government has condemned the acts of violence and vowed to take strict action against the perpetrators to restore peace in the province.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Monday strongly condemned attack on the vehicle of Deputy Commissioner Panjgur in Mastung. He expressed grief over the martyrdom of Deputy Commissioner Zakir Baloch in the attack. He prayed for the elevation of ranks of the martyred in heaven and patience for the bereaved family.

He prayed for the early recovery of the injured and directed officials to provide all possible medical treatment to them.He said the persons involved in the attack would be identified and would be given exemplary punishment. He said the officers of district administration perform their duties despite threat to their lives.