QUETTA/DALBANDIN : Two separate incidents of violence in Balochistan on Sunday left four people dead and three others injured, authorities said.
In the district of Chagai, a clash broke out between two groups in the Aminabad area at a place called Shukarab, near Dalbandin. The confrontation turned violent, resulting in the deaths of two individuals. Police confirmed that the bodies were shifted to a hospital and handed over to heirs after legal formalities. The Chagai administration is carrying out further investigation.
Meanwhile, in the provincial capital Quetta, unknown armed men opened fire near the Hazarganji vegetable market, killing two people and injuring three others. Police said the assailants fled the scene immediately after the attack. All the victims, both deceased and injured, belong to the Hazara community. The condition of one injured person is reported to be critical.
A heavy contingent of police and law enforcement agencies rushed to the spot after the Quetta attack. The bodies and injured were shifted to a hospital, where the bodies were later handed over to families following legal procedures.
In protest against the Quetta killings, youths from the Hazara community and representatives of the Central Traders Organization Balochistan staged a demonstration, blocking the Western Bypass with barricades and suspending all traffic. Protesters, including organization spokesperson Kashif Haideri, demanded the immediate arrest and strict punishment of those involved in the killing of innocent citizens. The road closure caused long queues of vehicles on both sides, severely inconveniencing commuters.
The Hazarganji firing incident drew strong condemnation from Balochistan’s leadership. Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti took notice of the attack, directing the Home Department and Inspector General of Police to submit a detailed report. He denounced the incident as a cowardly act, expressed deep sorrow for the affected families, and ordered law enforcement agencies to swiftly bring those responsible to justice. “Enemies of peace cannot be allowed to play with innocent lives,” Bugti said, while also instructing officials to provide urgent and quality medical treatment to the injured.
Police have registered a case against unknown attackers in the Quetta incident and launched a search operation to trace and arrest them.
