Four people were killed and three others injured in a shooting incident in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, on Sunday.
According to initial reports, at least four people were killed and three others injured in a targeted attack on members of the Shia Hazara community in Quetta.
Police said that unidentified gunmen opened fire on vegetable vendors in the Hazar Ganji area, a locality on the outskirts of the city known for its wholesale market. The victims are believed to belong to the Hazara community, which has faced repeated incidents of violence in the past.
The injured were transported to Civil Hospital Quetta, where medical officials confirmed that some of the wounded were in critical condition. Security forces reached the scene shortly after the attack and cordoned off the area while an investigation was launched. No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the shooting.
In the aftermath of the incident, protests broke out in parts of the city. Demonstrators, including members of the Hazara community, staged a sit-in on the Western Bypass, placing the bodies of the victims on the road as part of their protest. The blockade caused significant disruption to traffic, with commuters stranded for several hours.
Protesters demanded immediate justice, enhanced security measures, and accountability from the authorities, accusing the government of failing to protect vulnerable communities. Officials have yet to issue a detailed statement on the incident, though security has reportedly been heightened in sensitive areas across Quetta.