Journalist killed in Awaran

QUETTA: Journalist Latif Baloch was shot dead in the Mashkay area of Awaran district late Friday night.

According to reports, unidentified assailants broke into the house of Latif Baloch, a correspondent for a local newspaper, and fatally shot him while he was asleep.

Police said the armed attackers fled the scene after the shooting. The Levies Force launched an investigation into the incident.

The Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ) strongly condemned the killing, calling it part of a broader conspiracy to silence independent voices in the province.

In a joint statement, BUJ President Khalil Ahmed and General Secretary Abdul Ghani Kakar expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended heartfelt condolences and solidarity to the bereaved family.

The BUJ described Latif Baloch as a dedicated and honest journalist, adding that his targeted killing raises serious concerns about press freedom in Balochistan. The union demanded a high-level inquiry into the murder.

“Journalists in a sensitive region like Balochistan already face grave threats, and such attacks highlight the government’s failure to ensure their safety,” the statement said. “If immediate action is not taken, this dangerous trend could escalate further.”

The BUJ urged the Balochistan government to swiftly arrest the perpetrators and ensure that justice is served.