A police officer was martyred and three others injured when armed men opened fire on a police vehicle in Balochistan’s Mastung district. The attack happened on Friday near the area of Choto, along the busy National Highway. The vehicle belonged to an acting Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), who was inside but luckily remained safe. The vehicle was on routine patrol when it came under fire.
The attackers, whose identities are still unknown, ambushed the police vehicle from both sides of the road. The officer who was martyred died on the spot due to multiple gunshot wounds. The injured officers were immediately moved to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Medical teams are now trying to stabilize their health. Authorities have not yet released their names.
Shahid Rind, the Balochistan government spokesperson, confirmed that the attack was clearly targeted. He said the DSP’s vehicle may have been under surveillance by the attackers. Though the DSP remained unharmed, the shooting has caused panic among other law enforcement officials. Rind added that such attacks aim to demoralize police efforts in the region.
Soon after the incident, a heavy contingent of security forces arrived at the crime scene. They cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to trace the attackers. Helicopters were also used in the search due to the mountainous terrain nearby. Despite their efforts, no arrests had been made by Friday evening.
This tragic event has again highlighted the growing threat to police and security officials in Balochistan. The province has witnessed a spike in attacks on law enforcement in recent months. Government officials have vowed to boost security and bring the attackers to justice. Meanwhile, local residents remain fearful as violence continues to disrupt daily life.