Quetta - Unidentified attackers killed six people, including five police officers, when they ambushed a convoy in near Gwadar on Thursday.
The attack occurred near Gurdan area of Gwadar.
“The convoy headed by a senior local administration official, Naeem Gichki, was passing by an abandoned checkpost of the tribal police...in two vehicles when they were attacked by a group of up to seven people, who were hiding in the post,” Balochistan Home Secretary Akbar Harifall told AFP.
He said the assailants fired rockets at the vehicles in the convoy and Tehsildar Gichki and five local tribal policemen were killed and three others injured in the attack. The injured included one major and a soldier.
Another senior local administration official Qurban Magsi confirmed the incident and casualties.
Gwadar Commissioner Shoaib Ahmad Gola said that the incident took place when some unknown gunmen opened fire at the vehicles of Balochistan Levies (a paramilitary force) in Jiwani area.
Security forces and rescue teams rushed to the site and shifted the bodies and injured to the district hospital of Gwadar.
According to the official, the gunmen armed with automatic guns ambushed the vehicles of the security personnel when they were coming back after attending a grand meeting of local elders over a land dispute in Jiwani area.
Security forces have cordoned off the region and launched a search operation to arrest the terrorists. No group immediately claimed responsiblity but Balochistan is plagued by roiling insurgency and hit by regular militant attacks. It is also the site of China’s ambitious $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor infrastructure project linking its western province of Xinjiang to the Arabian Sea via Pakistan.
NO TOLERANCE FOR NEGATIVITIES: GEN RIAZ
Commander Southern Command Lt-General Aamir Riaz Thursday said the country’s path of development passes through Balochistan and anti-state elements would not be allowed to enforce their philosophy on gunpoint.
Amir Riaz said a handful of elements playing in the hands of foreign forces were involved in damaging peace of the province and their nefarious designs would be foiled at any cost. He was addressing ceremonies held in connection with development initiatives in Noshki and Kharan.
Lt-General Riaz said, “We will welcome those who leave militancy to join mainstream and participate in the development process.”
He also appreciated Pak Army and Frontier Corps for their key role in health and education sectors of Balochistan. “To achieve goals of progress and prosperity, we will have to end ignorance by promoting education,” he remarked.
Earlier, he inaugurated and laid foundation stones of FC Public School Girls Wing, Boys Hostel, Public Park, Public Library and Public Water Filtration Plant in Noshki and Kharan. IG Frontier Corps Maj-General Sher Afgun was also present.