Policeman protecting Hazara vendors shot dead in Quetta

QUETTA: One policeman was martyred while another got injured when unidentified attackers opened fire at an armoured police vehicle on Wednesday.

Police said the assailants opened fire at the police vehicle guarding fruit sellers belonging to the Shia Hazara community who were commuting from Hazar Ganji to Hazara Town.

The assailants fled the scene unhurt after the attack, the officials said.

The incident happened at Shalkot area of Quetta, Balochistan. The area was cordoned off after the attack as policemen and Frontier Corps (FC) Balochistan launched a search operation .

The injured police officer was rushed to Balochistan Medical Complex where he is being treated.

Attacks on police and security officials are increasing in Balochistan. On February 28, two policemen were martyred when a police convoy was attacked by militants. According to rescue officials, the vehicle of DSP Hameedullah Dasti was targeted. The driver and DSP remained safe as the vehicle was bulletproof but two other policemen lost their lives.

The martyred cops were identified as Mohammad Tahir and Ayub Shah.

Furthermore, on February 14, four security officials were martyred after a gun attack at Sariab Road area of Quetta. The police officials said that unidentified attackers targeted a motorcycle patrol of FC when it was on routine duty along the railway track.

On January 28, a policeman was martyred in firing at Hazarganji area while on January 18, two Constabulary officials were martyred in Quetta.