DERA MURAD JAMALI: Tensions ran high in the city on Friday, after an armed man opened fire on a passenger coach at the main bazaar bus stand, injuring three people, including the driver. The incident sparked a vigorous protest by transporters, leading to the blockage of the national highway and severe hardships for thousands of travelers.
According to police officials, the assailant, riding a motorcycle, arrived at the bus stand and fired multiple shots from a pistol at the coach. The attack occurred as passengers were disembarking from the vehicle. The injured were identified as the coach driver, Azhar Mahmood, and two other passengers. Police arrived at the scene shortly after the incident and transported the wounded to a local hospital for medical treatment.
The attack ignited immediate anger among the transporter community, who staged a vigorous protest by blocking the national highway. The blockade resulted in the suspension of traffic on the Sindh-Balochistan national highway for several hours. The disruption left thousands of vehicles stranded, with passengers facing severe difficulties, many of whom were observing fasts.
The protestors strongly condemned what they described as the helplessness of the police. The situation was eventually defused following assurances from senior police officers, after which the protest was called off and the highway was reopened for traffic.
However, a conflicting narrative emerged from the injured driver, Azhar Mahmood. From his hospital bed, he alleged that the attacker had been apprehended by bystanders and that weapons were also recovered from him. He claimed, however, that the police allowed the suspect to escape “in front of us.”
Responding to the allegations, DSP City stated that a cordon had been placed around the entire area to apprehend the fleeing attacker. He confirmed that the protest ended after a senior police officer assured the transporters of swift action. A manhunt is currently underway to arrest the suspect as the police investigate the incident.
