Four FC soldiers killed in Quetta gun attack

One paramilitary soldier, passerby woman also injured in the shooting

QUETTA: Motorcycle-borne terrorists shot dead four paramilitary soldiers in a busy marketplace in the provincial capital of Balochistan on Wednesday – a day after four policemen were killed in separate targeted attacks.

The slain soldiers belonged to the Sui Rifles Wing of the Frontier Corps, a spokesperson for the paramilitary force, Khan Wasay, told The Express Tribune by the telephone.

The FC soldiers were fixing their vehicle which had broken down in a crowded marketplace in the Double Road area when two motorcycle-riding terrorists pulled up near them, Wasay said. They opened fire on the FC soldiers, killing four and wounding two others, a paramilitary soldier and a passerby woman.

The attack was sudden and intense which is why the soldiers couldn’t retaliate. The terrorists managed to flee the scene unidentified and unchallenged while firing gunshots into the air.

The casualties were evacuated to the Civil Hospital where medics referred the injured soldier to the Combined Military Hospital for advanced treatment. A manhunt is ongoing for the killers.

Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri denounced the attack. “Security and law enforcement agencies have given countless sacrifices to restore peace in Balochistan,” he said in a statement. “No one will be allowed to spoil peace.”

It was a third targeted attack on security and law enforcement agencies during the past 24 hours. Four policemen were gunned down in two apparently coordinated gun attacks in the Sariab Road and Hazar Ganji areas of Quetta on Tuesday.

Thirty-four security personnel have been killed in targeted attacks so far this year. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the latest attack, but banned Baloch separatist groups carried out similar attacks in the past.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2016.