• Two more hostages killed in Jhal Magsi
• Man shot dead in Kachhi

QUETTA/DERA MURAD JAMALI: As the Balochistan government on Monday decided to intensify operations against criminals, Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove announced ban on gatherings in Pishin district with an immediate effect.

He issued the order for the imposition of Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure while chairing a meeting held to review security situation in Pishin and other areas.

The home minister said protection of citizens’ lives and property was the top priority of the government.

Besides tribal elders and religious scholars from Pishin, Public Accounts Committee Chairman Asghar Tareen, lawmakers Syed Zafar Agha and Asfandyar Kakar, Home Additional Chief Secretary Hamza Shafqat, the Pishin division commissioner, the deputy inspector general of police, the district police officer and other relevant officials attended the meeting.

On the other hand, two more men were killed in Jhal Magsi, taking the death toll to four. Their bodies were dumped along a roadside in the Ghathra area. They were identified as Maulvi Sadiq Abro and Liaquat Ali Abro.

According to police, five men were abducted by armed men on Oct 17 while travelling to Khari from Gandawah within the jurisdiction of Kotrah police station.

Following the incident, police personnel and a large number of local residents reached the scene. Police took custody of the bodies and shifted them to the district hospital in Gandawah. After the completion of the necessary legal formalities, the bodies were handed over to families.

Police said further investigation into the incident was underway.

Man gunned down

Separately, a young man was shot dead by armed assailants in the Sanni area of Kachhi district, police said.

According to police, Ghazi Khan, son of Roshan Khan Jatoi and a resident of Dera Murad Jamali, was targeted by armed men in Sanni. The assailants opened fire on him before fleeing the scene.

Police reached the scene after the incident, took custody of the body and shifted it to a hospital.

After completion of the necessary legal formalities, the body was handed over to the deceased’s family. Police said further investigation into the killing was underway.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026