Targeted killing? Principal of law college gunned down in Quetta

Lawyers across the province announce three-day strike to protest the killing

QUETTA: Unidentified gunmen on Wednesday shot dead the head of a law college in Quetta, in the latest round of killings in the volatile Balochistan province.

Barrister Amanullah Achakzai, principal of the Quetta Law College, was heading to the educational institute in his car on Wednesday morning.

He was travelling through Spinny Road in Killi Tarkah area of the city, when unidentified armed men riding on motorcycles intercepted and shot at him.

Barrister Achakzai received eight bullets, leaving him seriously injured.

He was rushed to Civil Hospital Quetta where he succumbed to his injuries.

DIG Quetta Ghulam Sarwar told the media that there are no leads so far on the identity of the culprits or the motives for the assault and that they are investigating the matter.

“We are investigating the crime and will utilise all available resources to arrest the culprits,” he said.

Sources at the Civil Hospital said Barrister Achakzai was shot eight times in the face and chest.

Following the attack, lawyers at different courts in the province boycotted proceedings. Lawyer associations in the province, including Balochistan Bar Association, Balochistan Bar Council, Balochistan High Court Bar and all the district bars, have announced they will go on strike for three days and boycott court proceedings.

Taking note of the incident, Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri condemned the murder and ordered an inquiry into the attack.

Later in the day, Inspector General Police Ashen Mehboob visited Barrister Achakzai’s family. Condoling with them, he assured them that the culprits responsible for the attack will be apprehended.

At his funeral, the chief minister, members of ministerial councils, members of Balochistan assembly, Corps Commander, and other civil and military officials were in attendance.

No militant group had claimed responsibility for the attack till the filing of this report.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 9^th, 2016.