Four policemen, including a senior official, were killed in Quetta today. The Superintendent Police (SP) of Quaidabad in Quetta, Mubarak Shah, was killed along with three other policemen when unknown group of persons riding motorbikes unleashed a volley of bullets at their vehicle. This is the second attack in a span of four days as SSP Mohmand was also killed in Chaman on 9th July.
According to details SP Mubarak Shah was traveling along with other policemen in Quetta when their vehicle was attacked from different directions in Killi Deba area of Quetta. Three policemen, who were included in SP’s bodyguard team, lost their lives at the scene. However, Mr. Shah was seriously injured and succumbed to his injuries later. One of SP’s gunmen was seriously injured in the attack and is being treated in a state hospital.
Pakistani Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, and Chief Minister of Balochistan, Sanaullah Zehri, condemned the attack and ordered inquiries into the incident.
Balochistan, home to a “freedom movement” by Baloch nationalist organisations, has seen a recent surge in attacks on security forces in last few months. There also have been many sectarian incidents in the region.
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch in their country reports for Pakistan have highlighted gross human rights violations in Balochistan.