QUETTA: Khan Abdus Samad Khan Achakzai, a veteran politician and chief of the Pashtoonkhawa National Awami Party, was assassinated in the early hours … today [Dec 2] by some unidentified persons who threw hand grenades into the bedroom of his Quetta residence. The grenades were reportedly lobbed through a ventilator of the room… . The news of the death of Khan Achakzai, who was 66, spread like wild fire. … No business establishment in Quetta opened this morning and people from all walks of life continued to visit his house throughout the day.

Agency reports add: The body of Mr Achakzai was found badly mutilated by the blast. … His wrist watch stopped at 3-50 a.m. … Soon after the death of the Pashtoonkhawa leader, Governor Akbar Bugti ordered two days of mourning. … All cinemas, Sunday-opening educational institutions, shops and business houses remained closed. … Certain mischievous elements let loose a campaign of hurling stones at public buildings and shops, but the armed police soon controlled the situation while Army Jawans were called out to guard the vital installations here. Hotels and restaurants also remained closed.

Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2023