Harnai: Armed Attack on Men Collecting Firewood Leaves One Dead, Four Minor Children Abducted

QUETTA: The Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party (PNAP) has strongly condemned an armed attack in the Shahrig area of Harnai district, in which one person was killed and four minor children were allegedly abducted.

According to a statement issued by the party, residents of Killi Faizabad in Shahrig had gone to the foothills of Khalifat Mountain to collect firewood and fuel for their homes when armed men attacked them.

The attack resulted in the death of Abdul Khaliq at the scene, while his companion, Isa Gul, sustained serious injuries. The armed attackers allegedly took four minor children with them after opening fire. The children are reportedly aged 13, 15 and 16, with four children abducted in total.

The party described the incident as a serious humanitarian tragedy, saying that civilians who leave their homes to meet basic daily needs are increasingly becoming victims of terrorism, abductions and targeted killings.

The PNAP said protecting the lives and property of citizens is the fundamental responsibility of the state and government, but the prevailing situation has forced ordinary people to feel increasingly insecure.

The party said a series of violent incidents in different parts of Pashtunkhwa, particularly Harnai, Hanna Urak, Ziarat, Saranan, Qila Abdullah and Pishin, had created widespread fear among the public.

It referred to killings and abductions in Hanna Urak, an attack on police personnel in Mangi area of Ziarat, the destruction of a police station and killing of workers in the densely populated Saranan area, as well as recent attacks on police personnel and a hand-grenade attack on a checkpoint in Qila Abdullah.

The Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party demanded that the government and relevant state institutions immediately take notice of the Shahrig incident, arrest those responsible for Abdul Khaliq’s killing and bring them to justice.

The party also called for the immediate and safe recovery of all four abducted children.

It urged the government to move beyond statements and claims and take practical measures to restore security. The party further demanded impartial investigations into incidents occurring across all affected areas and called for long-term measures to ensure the safety of citizens.

The PNAP expressed condolences to the family of Abdul Khaliq and prayed for patience for his bereaved family and the speedy recovery of the injured Isa Gul.