Get the latest news and updates from Dawn
SINCE early this month, Balochistan has been reeling from a series of dastardly terror attacks. The nexus of ideologically different banned terrorist groups — the religiously motivated extremists of the TTP and BLA terrorists — poses a grave challenge. The current spate of violence started on July 5, when terrorists managed to reach the fertile Shaban area next to Hanna-Urak in the suburbs of Quetta cantonment, and then launched another attack the next day on the Mangi Dam Ziarat police post at the pumping station. Despite a valiant fight put up by a DSP and 40 policemen, the terrorists, who had attacked in a large numbers, kidnapped and killed 27 ammunition-deficient law-enforcement personnel. Timely reinforcements by the police and FC could have prevented this tragedy.
Meanwhile, an FC convoy was attacked near Khad Kucha, district Mastung, resulting in casualties. In addition, a military contingent in unmarked vehicles was attacked at Bela-Vinder by the BLA’s Majeed Brigade, resulting in casualties in double figures. Clashes in the mineral-rich district of Chagai were also reported, while a suicide attack took place in Khuzdar in which a tribal political leader involved in internecine strife lost 17 of his kinsmen to five attackers who rammed their explosive-laden vehicle into the gate of the fortified compound in Wadh. A three-hour gun battle left 30 injured. In the latest high-profile incident on Thursday, a sessions judge and his guard were killed on the road by assailants.
