Unknown armed men gunned down a Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Head Constable in Quetta during the early hours of Sunday morning.
According to the police, CTD official Syed Muhammad was killed when unidentified gunmen opened fire on Jail Road in Quetta.
The gunmen fled the scene after the shooting. Shortly after the incident, the police arrived at the location, cordoned off the area, and transported the body to the Civil Hospital in Quetta.
The ‘pro-independence’ Baloch armed group has claimed responsibility for the targeted killing of the CTD official in a statement issued.
The group’s spokesperson, Jeeyand Baloch, stated in the release that the deceased official was affiliated with the CTD, which has been accused of various crimes, including raids on Baloch civilian houses, enforced disappearances, and the killing of innocent civilians in fake encounters. “The CTD official killed today was on the BLA’s hitlist for involvement in the aforementioned crimes,” Mr. Jeeyand Baloch said.
Meanwhile, the relatives of the deceased official have staged a sit-in protest with the body in Quetta’s red zone, where important government installations, such as the Governor’s House, Chief Minister’s House, Balochistan Civil Secretariat, and residences of the chief secretary, inspector general of Balochistan police, and many ministers are located.
The protestors are demanding justice for the slain CTD official and increased security for police officers in the city.