Politicians condemn Chechens’ killing, seek justice

Politicians from different political parties have sought justice in the incident that claimed the lives of five Chechens, including three women, in indiscriminate firing by law enforcers here on May 17. Talking to journalists on Sunday, Balochistan Minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Q leader Ms Rubina Irfan said innocent people were shot dead in Khrotabad on the pretext of action against terrorism. She questioned why indiscriminate firing was opened on five Chechens when they offered no resistance and were ready to surrender in the presence of hundreds of local people and media.
She said elected representatives should take notice of the situation. “I myself saw private TV channels’ footage in which an injured pregnant Chechen woman was waiving her hands, appealing to stop firing, but the personnel of security forces and police continued indiscriminate firing until all of the five persons died. The barbaric act of the security forces and police has defamed us at international level.”
Pashtoon Qaumi Tehreek chief Rafeeq Pashtoon said the personnel of security forces and police were responsible for killing the five unarmed Chechen nationals, including three women. He alleged corruption had devastated the institution of police. He hoped the tribunal set up Balochistan High Court would review all aspects to ensure justice.
Malik Abdul Wali Kakar, a leader of Balochistan National Party (Mengal), said innocent people were killed in Khrotabad. He said security forces should not follow wrong wireless messages of police. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Central Vice President Shahid Qazi said the Khrotabad tragedy had created panic in citizens and now they were afraid of security forces and police. Meanwhile, the bomb disposal squad has submitted its report to Balochistan IGP Rao Amin Hashim. The report said no suicide vests were recovered from the bodies of the five Chechen people.