Ziarat AC, son found dead two months after abduction

Muhammad Afzal and his son were abducted by unknown gunmen

QUETTA:

In a shocking development, authorities on Sunday recovered the bodies of Ziarat Assistant Commissioner Muhammad Afzal and his son, reliable sources confirmed. The two had been abducted nearly two months ago from the Zerzari area of Ziarat district by unidentified armed men.

Earlier this month, a video had surfaced showing the civil servant and his son pleading for their release and urging that the captors' demands be met. No group has claimed responsibility for the killings.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti strongly condemned the incident, calling it a "cowardly and inhumane act." He vowed that the perpetrators would be brought to justice, assuring that no one involved in such crimes would be spared. The chief minister also expressed solidarity with the bereaved family, pledging that the government would utilize all resources to track down those responsible.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, in a separate statement, said those behind the brutal killings would not escape a dreadful fate. He paid glowing tributes to the assistant commissioner, describing him as a dedicated, hardworking, and capable officer who "will always remain alive in our hearts."

"The martyred Assistant Commissioner Muhammad Afzal attained the high rank of martyrdom while performing his duty," Naqvi added, extending condolences to the grieving family.

According to analysts, the incident underscores the persistent security challenges in Balochistan, where kidnappings and targeted attacks continue to instill fear among government officials as well as people.

Ziarat, a scenic valley in northern Balochistan famed for its juniper forests, has generally remained peaceful. However, over the past decade, terrorists have carried out sporadic attacks in the district.