QUETTA: A police constable was martyred while several other security-related incidents, including attacks on a convoy, kidnappings, and a railway track blast, were reported across Balochistan on Monday, prompting security forces to launch search and investigation operations in the affected areas.
According to police, Constable Ehsanullah was shot dead by unidentified armed men near a private library in Mastung. His body was shifted to Shaheed Nawab Ghaus Bakhsh Raisani Memorial Hospital before being handed over to his family. Police have registered the case and launched an investigation.
In Chagai district, unidentified gunmen carried out three separate attacks on a convoy along the N-40 highway. Police said a truck travelling ahead of the convoy was set on fire in the Mazang area, but it was not part of the convoy. In another incident near Chahter, gunfire burst the tyre of a convoy vehicle, while a third attack occurred near Ismail Landhi, close to Yakmach, where security personnel returned fire, forcing the attackers to flee. No casualties or damage to convoy vehicles were reported. Security has been tightened along the highway, and search operations are underway.
Meanwhile, in Khuzdar’s Aranji area, tribal leader Mir Akhlaq Khidrani and his brother Javed were abducted by unidentified armed men. A third brother managed to escape. Security forces have launched a search operation to recover the abductees.
In another incident, armed men attacked the Nami police checkpoint in Lasbela and abducted Sub-Inspector Gulab after disarming police personnel. The attackers fled with the officer, and security forces have begun a search operation.
Separately, an explosive device planted near a railway track in Quetta’s Sariab area detonated before the arrival of the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express. Railway officials said the blast caused only minor damage to the track, which was repaired promptly, allowing the train to reach Quetta safely. Police, the Bomb Disposal Squad and security personnel visited the site and launched an investigation into the attempted sabotage.
