Barkhan landmine blast claims two lives

At least two people were killed in a landmine explosion in Balochistan’s Barkhan district on Tuesday morning.

The landmine explosion took place near the Barkhan border with the troubled Kohlu district. Levies sources said two pedestrians were hit by the landmine in the Hun Nadi area of Barkhan.

Both of them died on the spot.

The news of the incident spread rapidly, prompting local residents to rush to the scene. They worked together to transport the bodies to a nearby hospital on a self-help basis.

The loss and shock experienced by the community led to a spontaneous protest, with local tribesmen taking a strong stance against the perpetrators of the deadly attack. As a symbolic gesture, they refused to bury the bodies until firm and decisive action was taken against those responsible.

Demanding swift justice, the protesters called upon the district administration to apprehend and make an example of the culprits behind this terrorist attack.

Senior police officials arrived at the site and engaged in successful negotiations with the demonstrators, eventually convincing them to proceed with the burial of the victims. The authorities assured the community that a thorough investigation would be conducted, and all those involved in the incident would be brought to justice.

Both victims belonged to a local tribe in Barkhan.

In a separate incident, the Levies force discovered three bodies with bullet wounds in the Bolan Mountains of Balochistan’s Kachhi district.

Two of the deceased have been identified, while the identity of the third victim is yet to be established. The bodies were transported to Mach Hospital for verification and autopsy, and senior administration officers, along with the Levies force, initiated an investigation to determine the motive behind the incident.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 14^th, 2023.