Panjgur DC martyred in Mastung attack

QUETTA: The Deputy Commissioner Panjgur was martyred and Chairman Municipal Committee Panjgur was injured seriously in an attack by unknown men at Quetta-Karachi National Highway, near Mastung, late on Monday evening.

Officials said that the DC Panjgur, Zakir Hussain Baloch was on his way to Quetta from Panjgur along with Chairman Municipal Committee Panjgur when armed men opened indiscriminate firing at the official vehicle near Khadkocha area of Mastung.

In the firing, Deputy Commissioner and Chairman of the Municipal Committee got seriously injured and were immediately shifted to nearby Shaheed Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Raisani Memorial Hospital, Mastung. However, Zakir Hussain Baloch succumbed to his serious bullet injuries.

Chief Executive of the hospital, Dr Saeed Ahmed while confirming the death of Deputy Commissioner Panjgur said that he had received multiple bullet injuries at different parts of his body, including at the chest and stomach which caused internal bleeding, resulting in his death.

Chairman of Municipal Committee Panjgur Abdul Malik Baloch who is the younger brother of National Party Balochistan’s President Rehmat Baloch also received multiple bullet injuries. He was shifted to Quetta for treatment.

Security officials said that a group of at least 15 armed men have blocked the highway at the Khadkocha area of Mastung and were checking the vehicles which were passing through the area. The armed men also signaled to stop the vehicle of Deputy Commissioner Panjgur but they did not stop after which the armed men opened fire at the vehicle.

The security forces have launched a search operation in the area after the incident to trace the armed men involved in firing. No one has claimed responsibility of the attack and killing of the Deputy Commissioner so far.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack on the Deputy Commissioner and expressed deep sorrow and grief over his martyrdom. The prime minister also prayed for the swift recovery of the injured individual in the incident and directed the relevant authorities to provide him with the best medical facilities.

The prime minister emphasised that those involved in the incident should be identified promptly and brought to justice. Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti also expressed deep sorrow and grief over the demise of Deputy Commissioner Panjgur Zakir Baloch and the injuries sustained by others in the terrorist incident.

“Zakir Baloch was a talented officer of the Balochistan government, who performed his various responsibilities excellently,” said the Chief Minister of Balochistan. CM declared that the terrorists involved in the incident will not be forgiven.

Punjab Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif also expressed her grief. She strongly condemned the incident, and offered condolences to the bereaved family. National Party’s Central President Dr Abdul Malik Baloch and Central Secretary General Senator Jan Muhammad Baledi expressed deep sorrow and grief over the martyrdom of Deputy Commissioner Zakir Baloch in the Mastung terrorist attack and prayed for the departed soul.

They described the Mastung terrorist attack as an attempt to incite fratricide and civil war in Balochistan. They noted that Zakir Baloch was a very good and courageous young man who made significant contributions to Balochistan at a young age. They said he was a nationalist and his martyrdom has deprived Balochistan of a sincere youth, a loss that will be felt deeply at all times. They also expressed sorrow over the severe injuries sustained by the National Party’s Panjgur District Chairman Abdul Malik Baloch in the incident.