Balochistan Sees Deadly Day of Violence and Crime as 10 Militants Killed, Six Civilians Die in Multiple Incidents
Quetta: Balochistan witnessed a series of security incidents, violent attacks, accidents, and law enforcement operations on Wednesday, leaving at least six civilians dead, 13 others injured, while security forces reported killing 10 militants in separate intelligence-based operations across the province.
According to security officials, unidentified armed men opened fire on a passenger coach traveling from Quetta to Karachi near Goro in the Khad Kocha area of Mastung, killing Inam-ul-Haq from Qila Abdullah, Syed Tariq Niaz from Karachi, and Liaqat Khan from Gulistan. Three other passengers were injured and shifted to hospital. Officials noted that an earlier preliminary report had mentioned four fatalities, but that figure was later revised pending confirmation.
Clashes between security forces and armed militants around Khad Kocha and Manguchar led to the temporary closure of the Quetta–Karachi National Highway. Unidentified attackers also destroyed a bridge on the highway near Anjeeri Cross using explosives, although no casualties were reported. The Balochistan Home Department imposed an indefinite nightly curfew in Khad Kocha beginning at 9:00 p.m. due to the security situation.
In Kalat, unidentified gunmen fired at an Al-Munir passenger coach traveling from Quetta to Turbat near Gaddan Hotel, injuring 25-year-old Shandar Gul, a resident of Awaran. A separate explosion damaged a shop in Wadh Bazaar, though no casualties were reported.
In separate shootings, Sheikh Zahid was killed in Noshki, while Shams-ul-Haq was shot dead by unidentified attackers in Zhob. Police have registered cases and launched investigations into both incidents.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces killed 10 militants during intelligence-based operations conducted over the past 48 hours in Sorab and Mastung, with seven militants killed in Sorab and three in Mastung. Security forces also arrested two suspected female suicide bombers and one alleged facilitator in Mastung, recovering weapons, ammunition, and improvised explosive devices.
Elsewhere in the province, five people were injured during an armed tribal clash in Nasirabad, while several others were wounded in separate traffic accidents and accidental shootings. In another incident, a woman was hospitalized after an alleged suicide attempt by consuming poisonous substances.
Heavy rainfall caused damage to roads and property in parts of Zhob, where a two-year-old child also lost his life in a rain-related accident.
Police also reported several criminal incidents, including armed robberies, thefts, and vehicle snatching in Dalbandin, Sohbatpur, Bela, and other areas.
In anti-narcotics operations, Quetta Railway Police arrested two suspects and seized 11 kilograms of crystal meth (Ice) and 6 kilograms of hashish, with an estimated street value of around Rs150 million, according to officials.
Meanwhile, Gwadar City Police arrested three suspected motorcycle thieves and recovered five stolen motorcycles, while Jacobabad Police arrested two wanted suspects in separate operations, recovering an unlicensed pistol and three kilograms of hashish.
Authorities also recovered the body of an unidentified transgender person near Mouladad Phatak in Jacobabad. Police said no visible signs of torture were found during the initial examination, and the exact cause of death will be determined after further investigation.
Separately, the family of Muhammad Akbar Pirdadani in Kohlu alleged that his death was a murder and called for a transparent investigation into the incident.
