Cop among four labourers martyred in Turbat

At least five people, including four labourers and a policeman, were martyred as unidentified armed men opened fire at them in Turbat, Balochistan on Tuesday morning.

The horrendous incident took place more than two weeks after gunmen killed six construction workers and injured two others in a pre-dawn attack on their camp near Turbat, in Balochistan’s Kech district.

Interim Balochistan Chief Minister Ali Mardan Domki and Information Minister Jan Achakzai had vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

On Tuesday, police sources said unidentified armed men opened fire at the labourers in the Nasarabad area of Turbat. “Four labourers and a policeman guarding them died on the spot,” the police said, adding that the attackers managed to flee unhurt.

The police force reached the spot and shifted the bodies to the Turbat District Headquarter (DHQ) Hospital.

A large number of local people of the area also reached the spot. However, the police cordoned off the area as an investigation into the incident kicked off.

The dead bodies were later dispatched to their hometown Muzaffargarh in Punjab. Strict security measures were adopted by the administration.

Caretaker Chief Minister Domki took notice of the incident, directing the authorities to arrest the culprits behind the tragic killing.

In a statement issued after the attack, Domki said the terrorists behind the attack would be arrested and punished. He said the incumbent government was committed to protecting the lives and properties of the masses.

Read Six labourers killed in pre-dawn Turbat attack

Later, Domki called a crucial meeting at the CM Secretariat to address the Turbat incident and evaluate the overall law and order situation in the province.

Balochistan Inspector General of Police Abdul Khaliq Sheikh, Counter-Terrorism Department Deputy Inspector General Aitzaz Ahmed Graya and other key security officials attended the meeting.

The IGP provided a comprehensive overview of the Turbat incident, including its initial report and the progress made in the ongoing investigation.

Domki expressed profound regret and condemnation of the unfortunate Turbat incident.

The CM emphasised the importance of strengthening the professional capabilities of the Levies Force personnel to effectively combat subversive activities in the region.

This incident came more than two weeks after unidentified terrorists opened fire and killed six labourers in the Satellite Town area of Turbat.

Police sources said the labourers were sleeping in an under-construction house when it was stormed by the assailants.

According to the sources, all six labourers were pronounced dead at the scene, while the two injured were swiftly transported to the Turbat DHQ Hospital for urgent medical attention.

In response to the incident, an emergency was declared at the hospital in order to provide immediate treatment to the wounded individuals. After the incident, the attackers fled the scene.

Law enforcement promptly arrived at the house and launched an investigation. "It appears that this was a targeted attack," a senior police officer told The Express Tribune via telephone. He requested anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media.