Pakistan: Balochistan Interior Minister’s Convoy Attacked in Mastung, 6 Personnel Injured

Quetta (Terror Monitor) — Six personnel accompanying Balochistan Interior Minister Mir Ziaullah Langau were injured when unidentified armed militants attacked his convoy in Mastung district, while the minister remained unharmed.

According to official sources, Langau was returning to Quetta after attending a Pakistan Independence Day ceremony in Kalat when his convoy came under attack near Kund Umarani in Mastung.

The injured personnel were shifted to Shaheed Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Memorial Hospital in Mastung for medical treatment. Some of the injured were later referred to Quetta for further treatment.

Langau had arrived in Kalat a day earlier, where he hoisted the national flag at a ceremony held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Complex to mark Pakistan’s 79th Independence Day. He was returning to Quetta with his convoy after the ceremony when the attack took place.

Speaking to the BBC by telephone, Langau said the attackers had concealed themselves in orchards on both sides of the road and opened heavy fire as his convoy reached the area.

“The attackers were inside the orchards and were targeting our vehicles from both sides,” he said.

According to the minister, members of his security detail immediately returned fire, resulting in an exchange of gunfire that continued for around 20 minutes.

Langau said he was sitting in the front seat of his vehicle and that five bullets struck the driver-side window of his bulletproof vehicle during the attack.

“By the grace of Allah, I remained safe, but I am saddened that members of my security detail were injured,” he said, adding that such attacks would not intimidate him.

He said the government, police and security agencies would continue operations against elements seeking to undermine peace.

Langau further alleged that anti-state elements and their purported foreign backers would not succeed in achieving their objectives.

Meanwhile, Babar Yousafzai, media adviser to the Balochistan Home Department, said police personnel accompanying the convoy mounted a strong retaliatory response and forced the attackers to retreat.

He said the attack was aimed at creating unrest and instability in the area, adding that security forces remained committed to thwarting the plans of such elements.

Mobile Internet Suspended Across Balochistan

Meanwhile, mobile phone internet services remained suspended across Quetta and other parts of Balochistan for a second consecutive day.

The service was suspended in Quetta and other areas of the province around noon on Thursday and remained unavailable on Friday, causing difficulties for users.

No official reason has been given for the latest suspension. However, when mobile internet services were suspended across Balochistan last Sunday, Interior Minister Langau had cited security concerns as the reason.

Train Services Suspended

Train services between Quetta and other provinces have also been suspended for two days on security grounds.

A Pakistan Railways official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the decision was taken due to security concerns.

As a result, the Jaffar Express did not depart from Quetta on Friday, while its arrival and departure services will also remain suspended on August 15.