Levies officer killed in Khuzdar firing

Terrorists flee after opening fire on check post

QUETTA:

A levies officer was gunned down in Khuzdar district of Balochistan on Friday.

Official sources told The Express Tribune that unidentified terrorists opened fire at levies check post, killing an officer deployed there in the Zehri area of Khuzdar district.

The victim has been identified as Nisar Ahmed Zarakzai.

The attackers managed to escape after committing the crime in broad day light.

A large contingent of levies and security forces reached the area and conducted a door-to-door search operation but there was no sign of the attackers. The body of the deceased officer was shifted to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Later his body was sent for autopsy.

“The deceased was the brother of the personal secretary to the former chief minister of Balochistan, Nawab Sanaullah Zehri,” said an official.

No one claimed responsibility for the attack.

On the 7th of this month, the leader and founder of the banned Baloch National Army (BNA), Gulzar Imam alias Shambay, was arrested in a high-profile intelligence-based operation by the security forces, said a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The ‘high-value target’ has been a “hardcore militant as well as founder and leader of the banned outfit Baloch National Army (BNA) which came into being after the amalgamation of the Baloch Republican Army (BRA) and United Baloch Army (UBA),” read the statement.

The military’s media wing elaborated that the BNA has been responsible for dozens of violent terrorist attacks in Pakistan, including attacks on law enforcement agencies (LEAs) installations in Panjgur and Noshki.

Gulzar also remained as “deputy to Brahamdagh Bugti in Baloch Republican Army (BRA) till 2018 and was instrumental in the formation of Baloch Raji Aajoi Sangar (BRAS) and remained its operational head,” according to the statement.

“His visits to Afghanistan and India are also on record; his linkages with hostile intelligence agencies (HIAs) are being investigated,” the ISPR added. It further stated that hostile intelligence agencies “tried to exploit Gulzar Imam to work against Pakistan and its national interests.”

“He was apprehended after an innovatively conceived, carefully planned and meticulously executed operation, spanned over months over various geographical locations.”

Aerial firing banned

On the other hand, Balochistan Minister for Home and Tribal Affairs Mir Ziaullah Langu on Friday said that the provincial government has decided to ban aerial firing and display of weapons on chand raat in the province.

The home minister also issued orders to deputy commissioners (DCs) and police officers to take action against those involved in aerial firing and display of weapons. He added that the purpose of the ban was to prevent possible loss of human lives by aerial firing on the eve of Eid.