QUETTA: Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove survived an assassination attempt on Friday when militants ambushed his convoy near Khad Kocha in Mastung district, injuring six security personnel, officials said.
Langove was travelling from Kalat to Quetta when the attackers opened fire on his security convoy, according to officials.
Security personnel returned fire and forced the attackers to flee. Six members of the minister’s security detail were wounded in the exchange.
The injured personnel were identified as Nasrullah, Samiullah and Zakaria among others. Rescue teams moved them to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Security forces launched a search operation in the area after the attack and began tracking the assailants.
No group immediately claimed responsibility, but in past, the militants of the Fitna al Hindustan carried out such attacks against pro-government figures.
The attack comes amid a continuing militant campaign in Balochistan targeting security forces, government institutions, infrastructure and figures seen as supportive of the state.
Fitna al-Hindustan, operating in Balochistan, have involved in these attacks seeking to destabilise the province. The government formally adopted the term for official references to militant organisations operating in the province in 2025 after undeniable evidence of Indian support to these groups.
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) or United Baloch Army (UBA) are among the terrorist groups responsible for major attacks in the province. The groups have targeted security personnel, government facilities, civilians and infrastructure projects.
In July, the BLA claimed responsibility for a major attack on the residence of pro-government Baloch leader Mir Shafiq Mengal in Khuzdar. Mengal survived the assault, while members of his security were killed.
The attack involved suicide bombers and an armed assault on the compound, according to Pakistani media reports. The attackers sought to breach the residence before Mengal’s security team and responding forces repelled the assault.
The attack on Mengal followed a broader pattern of violence against individuals and institutions associated with the Pakistani state. Militants have also targeted police stations, banks, government facilities and development projects across Balochistan.
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In January, security forces said militants belonging to what authorities called Fitna al-Hindustan launched coordinated attacks in several districts, including Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Kharan, Panjgur, Gwadar and Pasni. The attacks also targeted civilians and development activity, according to the military.
