Two policemen killed in Balochistan

Attackers snatch millions of rupees worth of salaries.

QUETTA: At least three people, including an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) and constable, were killed while six others sustained injuries in an attack on a police van on Wednesday, some 500 kilometres from the provincial capital.

District Police Officer (DPO) Noor Ahmed Rind told The Express Tribune that a Balochistan Constabulary vehicle was transporting department salaries from Uthal to Awaran when unidentified assailants ambushed the van in the Berat area of Awaran District.

He added that the men opened indiscriminate firing, killing two police men and a passerby on the spot while six policemen sustained injuries. The attackers looted Rs2.8 million from the vehicle. According to sources, the assailants were hiding in nearby mountains.

Security personnel and police rushed to scene of the crime and cordoned off the area. The injured were taken to Uthal for treatment. A case has been registered against the unidentified men and an investigation is underway.

The deceased were identified as ASI Abdullah and Balochistan Constabulary constable Israr while the passerby was identified as Riaz Ahmed. The injured were identified as Inspector Mohammad Hameed, Mohammad Tahir, Zafar Ali, Ghus Bhaksh, Ijaz, Hatim Ali and Mohamamd Ameen.  No group claimed responsibility for the attack till the filing of this report.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 16^th, 2012.