A complete shutter down strike was observed in Khuzdar and Mastung districts of Balochistan against the targeted killing of political workers on Friday.
Balochistan National Party (BNP-Mengal) had given the call to protest the brutal murder of its leaders Abdul Waheed and Sulman Baloch who had been gunned down by unknown armed men in Khuzdar a few days ago. All markets, shopping centres and business activities remained closed in Khuzdar and Mastung in response to the BNP call. Traffic plying on the roads also remained thin compared to normal days, while the streets presented a deserted look. Talking to newsmen, BNP-Mengal central secretary information Agha Hassan condemned the targeted killing of BNP leaders and said so far more than 35 workers and leaders had been targeted in various parts of Balochistan, particularly in Khuzdar. He said the killing of armless people was aimed at exerting pressure on Baloch forces to give up their struggle for their legitimate rights. He demanded the humanitarian organisations take notice of targeted killings of political workers and recovery of decomposed bodies of Baloch youth.
Two terrorists killed, 14 arrested in Chaman: Security forces on Friday conducted an operation against militants in different areas of Chaman, killing two militants and injuring four others. According to sources, the security forces cordoned off Mizai Adda area in connection with the search operation, during which militants attacked them. In retaliation, two militants were killed whereas four others were injured. Later on 14 militants were being arrested. In another incident, some armed men kidnapped six Customs and two NAB officials at gunpoint when they were traveling to Chaman from Quetta.