QUETTA, Feb 23: Balochistan Secretary Mines and Minerals Jan Mohammad Dashti and his driver were injured in an ambush near Zarghoon Road on Monday.

The attack took place as Mr Dashti’s car was on an overhead bridge connecting Sariab Road with Zarghoon Road.

The assailants were on a motorcycle.

Prominenet among those who visited the injured secretary at the Civil Hospital were Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani and Chief Secretary Nasar Mehmood Khosa.

Mr Dashti was flown to Karachi by a special plane on the directives of the chief minister.

Mr Dashti is a renowned Baloch author and has served on senior positions, including principal secretary to the chief minister. No one had claimed responsibility for the attack till late Monday evening.

Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi, Chief Minister Raisani, Speaker Aslam Bhootani and other political leaders have condemned the attack.

They expressed the hope that criminals involved in the attack would be arrested soon.