KHUZDAR: A senior police official of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) police station in Khuzdar was martyred in a bomb attack on Thursday.

According to the police, a roadside bomb went off when Inspector Sharbat Khan’s vehicle reached Khuzdar Medical College on the Quetta-Karachi Hig­hway while he was on his way to the police station.

Mr Khan died on the spot as the explosion left his vehicle completely destroyed, according to hospital officials.

According to police, an IED containing about 5kg of explosive substance was used in the blast.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The funeral prayer of the martyred officer was offered in Khuzdar and attended by senior officers of police and FC and local administration officials. He was later buried in a local graveyard. An investigation has been launched into the attack, according to the police.

Meanwhile, Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove condemned the incident and expressed his grief at the CTD official’s martyrdom.

He said that the country’s fight against terrorism would continue until the last militant was taken care of, adding that Pakistan would overcome any challenge with the public’s cooperation. This is the second attack targeting CTD personnel in Balochistan. Earlier on April 11, four Quetta CTD personnel were martyred after an intense gun battle with terrorists in the Killi Spin area of Kuchlak town. One alleged terrorist was also killed during the operation.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2023