Four Levies personnel martyred in Khuzdar attack

QUETTA: Four personnel of the Levies Force embraced martyrdom in an attack on Samand checkpost in Khuzdar on Saturday night.

Unidentified armed assailants launched an assault on the Samand checkpost. The four Levies on duty put up resistance and engaged the attackers in an exchange of fire. As a result, four personnel were martyred, while the attackers managed to flee the scene. The personnel have been identified as Maqbool Ahmed, Khuda Bakhsh, Ejaz Ahmed and Muhammad Ali. The Levies Force cordoned off the entire area and launched a search operation.

The funeral prayers for the personnel were offered at the lawn of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office. Senior civil and military officials, including GOC 33 Division Major General Jawad Ahmed, Commissioner Kalat Division Jehanzaib Khan Kakar, Commandant Kalat Scouts Abdul Hafeez, DIG Abdul Hameed Khosa, Additional Commissioner Ejaz Ahmed Jafar, Deputy Commissioner Khuzdar Yasir Iqbal Dashti, SSP Khuzdar Javed Ahmed Zehri, central leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Maulana Qamaruddin, Chairman of All Parties Khuzdar Bashir Ahmed Advocate, President of Anjuman-e-Tajiran Hafiz Hameedullah Mengal, as well as other political, social, and tribal figures offered the funeral prayers.

Chief Minister Balochistan Sarfraz Bugti strongly condemned the attack, calling it a tragic and deplorable act aimed at sabotaging regional peace.

In a statement, CM Bugti said, “The attack on Samand checkpost is deeply saddening and highly condemnable. Such acts of terrorism are part of a sinister conspiracy to destroy peace and stability in the region”.

The chief minister praised the fallen officers for their extraordinary bravery and commitment to duty. The Levies personnel have written a new chapter in courage by laying down their lives in the line of duty, he said.

Bugti assured the sacrifices of the martyrs would not go in vain and the perpetrators of the attack would be brought to justice. “We will ensure those behind this heinous act meet their logical end”, he said.

Expressing solidarity with the bereaved families, chief minister pledged full support from the provincial government. The families of the martyrs will not be left alone. Government will provide every possible help to them, he said.

He announced operations against anti-peace elements would be intensified. “Our resolve to eradicate terrorism is stronger than ever. Action against those who challenge peace will be further escalated”, Bugti said.

Shahid Rind, the spokesperson of Balochistan Government, also condemned the attack, calling it a cowardly act that cannot shake the resolve of people or the state. He affirmed government stands with families of the fallen heroes and will provide full support to them. “We share in the grief of bereaved families and assure them of our unwavering solidarity”, Rind said.

He vowed perpetrators of the attack would be brought to justice and no compromise would be made on the state’s writ. “Those responsible for this heinous act will be held accountable”, he said, warning “any attack on state’s authority will not be tolerated under any circumstances”.