Four martyred in Bugti landmine blast

Six die in separate firing incidents in Chagai, Quetta

QUETTA:

At least four security personnel were martyred when their vehicle hit a landmine in in Mat area of Sui in Dera Bugti district on Friday, officials said, just days after 10 soldiers embraced martyrdom in a terrorist attack on a check-post in Kech district.

One member of the paramilitary Balochistan Levies Force and three men from a pro-government tribal militia commonly known as Levies Forces were killed in Dera Bugti district.

They died "after a landmine exploded as their vehicle drove over it", senior government official Balach Aziz Baloch said, adding that 10 others were injured.

He said the men were hunting thieves in the area when they were "tricked" by militants into driving over the landmine. Another senior administration official from the area also confirmed the incident and death toll.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo condemned the incident. In a statement, he identified the deceased as members of the local Aman Force and expressed grief over their martyrdom.

The chief minister offered his condolences to the families of the victims. He said that the martyrs had sacrificed their lives to establish peace and to protect the people's lives and properties.

He said the enemies had once again carried out a cowardly act of terrorism to ruin peace in the province. "No effort will be spared to bring the terrorists to justice," Binzejo said.

"The sacrifices and efforts made for peace will not go in vain. The entire nation stands united with the country's security forces in eliminating terrorists," he said.

However, Balochistan Awami Party leader Sarfraz Bugti claimed that "Baloch Republican Army terrorists" were behind the attack.

Separately, at least six people were killed different firing incidents in Chagai district and Quetta.

Rescue sources said that four people were killed while several others sustained injuries during the firing incident at the provincial capital’s Sariab Road.

They said that the injured were shifted to ICU for treatment due to their condition.

Assistant Commissioner Dalbandin said that unidentified armed men shot dead two people in Mach.

He said that the gunmen stopped an oil-laden vehicle and killed two aboard the vehicle. The security forces have cordoned off the area and started a search operation after the incident.

On Thursday, Pakistani Army confirmed that 10 of its soldiers were martyred in an attack claimed by outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army.

(With additional input from AFP)