At least four people were killed and seven others injured in an armed clash in the Hanna Urak area on the outskirts of Quetta, while families of 18 people reported missing following the violence staged a sit-in demanding their recovery.
According to Balochistan government officials, the clash took place on Sunday evening between local tribal residents and armed men in the Hanna Urak tourist area. The injured were taken to hospitals in Quetta, where an emergency was declared to facilitate their treatment.
Balochistan Home Minister Ziaullah Langove, however, put the toll at three killed and nine injured and said at least seven people had been abducted by the attackers.
Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar said police, Frontier Corps personnel and other law enforcement agencies reached the area after the attack began and that a search operation was underway.
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) later issued a statement claiming that its fighters were involved in the clash.
The group alleged that its fighters were preparing to ambush Frontier Corps (FC) personnel when they came under attack from members of what it described as a local “Aman Committee”.
The TTP denied allegations circulating on social media that it had killed people taken into custody during the incident.
Meanwhile, residents and relatives of those reported missing launched a sit-in in Quetta, demanding the immediate recovery of 18 people whom they said had disappeared during or after the clash.
The protest committee demanded the recovery of all missing people from Killi Babri and Hanna Urak, dead or alive; the removal of militants operating in the area; and negotiations with senior state authorities over the situation.
The committee gave the authorities a three-day ultimatum to respond to its demands.
The Balochistan government later formed a committee comprising Home Minister Ziaullah Langove and Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar to hold talks with the protesters.
It also directed the authorities to begin providing financial assistance and compensation to the affected families within two days.