Minister escapes Mastung convoy attack

Seven injured as police fight off gunmen

QUETTA:

Seven people, including three Anti-Terrorism Force (ATF) personnel, were injured when unidentified gunmen attacked the convoy of Balochistan Home and Tribal Affairs Minister Mir Ziaullah Langau in Mastung on Friday, while the minister escaped unhurt, police told The Express Tribune.

The attack took place at Kund Umarani in the Khad Koocha area, south of Mastung, as Langau was travelling to Quetta after attending an Independence Day ceremony at the Deputy Commissioner's Office in Kalat.

The injured personnel were taken to Shaheed Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Raisani Memorial Hospital for primary medical care, according to police. Langau later visited the hospital and inquired about the condition of the injured personnel.

Police further said the wounded cops were later transferred to Quetta for specialised healthcare treatment.

According to hospital officials, all three severely wounded cops are currently in stable condition and recovering.

Police said officers engaged the attackers for around 20 minutes during the attack, forcing the assailants to flee the scene.

Heavy contingents of law enforcement personnel were swiftly deployed to cordon off the area following the attack, as per police.

Meanwhile, security forces launched a probe into the incident and carried out a search and sweep operation in the surrounding terrain to trace and apprehend the attackers.

Police said, "So far no group has claimed responsibility for the attack."

Calling the attack "cowardly", Langau said such acts would not weaken the resolve of the government or security forces in the fight against terrorism. "I cannot be intimidated by such firecrackers," he said.

The home minister further stated that attacks of this nature would neither diminish his love for Pakistan nor weaken his determination to serve the country.

Home Department aide Babar Yousafzai condemned the attack, alleging that the convoy had been targeted by "Fitna al-Hindustan". He praised the police personnel for repelling the attack and said the security forces had responded to the attackers with courage.