A sessions judge and his gunman were tragically shot dead in a targeted attack in Balochistan’s Mastung district, while an additional sessions judge and another person were critically injured.
According to District Police Officer Allah Bakhsh Baloch, the judges were travelling from Quetta to the sessions court in Mastung when unidentified assailants opened fire on their vehicle in the Wali Khan area. Sessions Judge Abdul Hakeem Kakar and his security guard lost their lives in the incident. Additional Sessions Judge Tariq Lashari and another individual sustained serious injuries and were rushed to a hospital.
The area was immediately sealed off as security forces launched search operations. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti strongly condemned the attack, calling it “an attack on the state”. He vowed that the perpetrators would be brought to justice and stated that the blood of those protecting the law would not go in vain. The government has ordered swift action against those responsible.
Adviser to the CM Shahid Rind also condemned the incident as a regrettable attempt to challenge the writ of the state. The Balochistan Bar Council expressed deep sorrow and announced a two-day strike along with three days of mourning. Lawyers will appear in courts wearing black armbands to protest the attack on the judiciary.
The Bar Council demanded better security for judges, lawyers, and court staff and called for the immediate arrest of the culprits. This tragic incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of judicial officers in the region.
Separately, security forces have intensified intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Mastung. In recent actions in the Khad Kocha area, six terrorists affiliated with Fitna al-Hindustan were killed and several others, including facilitators and suicide bombers, were arrested. Multiple hideouts were destroyed and a large cache of weapons was recovered.
The Balochistan government and security forces remain committed to restoring peace and eliminating terrorism from the province. The entire legal community and citizens have expressed grief over the loss of life and demanded strong measures to protect those serving the justice system.
