Balochistan killings: Death toll rises to 8, strike observed

Shutter-down strike being observed in Quetta against targeted sectarian killings.


Web Desk September 02, 2012

QUETTA: Another victim who was admitted in hospital in the aftermath of a firing incident that killed seven Hazaras succumbed to his injuries, taking the death toll to eight, Express News reported Sunday.

A shutter-down strike is being observed in Quetta against the targeted sectarian killings carried out in different parts of Balochistan.

The strike was called by Hazara Democratic Party, chief of the Hazara tribe Sardar Saadat and Azadari Council. Different political and trade unions also backed the strike.

Special security arrangements have been done in order to avert any untoward incident.

On Saturday, seven members of the Hazara community were killed in two apparently coordinated drive-by shooting incidents on the outskirts of the provincial capital.

Gunmen riding on motorcycles had fired a volley of gunshots at a bus stop in the Hazar Ganji neighbourhood near a vegetable market, while in a separate incident, two intending pilgrims from the Hazara community were killed, while they were waiting at the bus stop to catch a bus for the Pak-Iran border town of Taftan.

Soon after the first attack, a heavy contingent of police and paramilitary Frontier Corps cordoned off the area and mounted a manhunt for the killers.

The senseless killings sparked violence in some neighbourhoods of the city where members of the Hazara community took to the streets. Protesters went berserk, allegedly barged into houses and harassed residents.

COMMENTS (21)

Critics | 11 years ago | Reply

@Butt Jee: So that's the reason Pakistan army grew large beards and now look with suspicions on the Hazara soldiers in the army? You doubt so many for Hazara killings! You are confused just like Hazaras and Balochs. In this psychological war only the government can find the real culprits. And as we all see government reaches out the sceene when all victims are either killed or critically injured! Hazaras are not stupid. They are not afraid as well. They just want peace where ever they live. Hazaras have served Pakistan by their best. If Pakistan had not eyed Afghanistan, Hazaras had not seen this day. Pakistan ISI should work in only two locations in Quetta that's all. Catch the killers on the spot and find out if they are BLA, TTP, RAW or any other group. It is intelligence job. Why Hazaras are paying all these? Is it wrong If they had defended their lands and houses in Aghanistan against Taliban (Afghani or Pakistani) ? Should Hazaras be punished by Pakistan for their stance against foreign or local invaders in Afghanistan in the past? And why Pakistan wants Pashtuns against rest of the Afghans? 60-65% of Afghans are non-Pashtuns! I think Justice is so expensive compared to Hazara lives in Pakistan!

Critics | 11 years ago | Reply

Thanks to Iran and Saudi Arabia for financing this day for all of us. They are our true murderers. On the cause of religion they have killed so many fathers,sons, brothers and husbands. Today no one but muslims are killing muslims! What kind of religion is Islam?

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