District judge, security guard killed in gun attack on highway in Balochistan

A district and sessions judge and his security guard were killed after unidentified gunmen opened fire on their vehicle on the national highway in Balochistan’s Mastung district on Thursday. The attack also left an additional sessions judge and another passenger seriously injured, according to local authorities.

Deputy Commissioner Bahram Saleem said District and Sessions Judge Abdul Hakeem Kakar was travelling from Quetta to Mastung when armed assailants ambushed his vehicle. The attackers opened fire, killing Judge Kakar and his security guard on the spot. Additional Sessions Judge Tariq Lashari and another individual sustained critical injuries and were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital, where they continue to receive medical treatment.

Following the incident, security forces and law enforcement agencies sealed off the area and launched a large-scale search operation. Checkpoints were established along key routes in an effort to track down and arrest those responsible for the attack.

The incident drew strong condemnation from Pakistan’s political leadership. President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and offered prayers for the recovery of the injured. He stated that anti-state elements backed by foreign interests would never succeed in destabilizing Pakistan and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to eliminating terrorism. He stressed that terrorist groups and those supporting them could not weaken Pakistan’s institutions or its determination to maintain peace.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the attack, calling it another attempt by anti-state forces to undermine national stability. He reiterated the government’s resolve to eliminate terrorism in all its forms and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti described the attack as a direct assault on the state and its institutions. He vowed that both the attackers and those facilitating them would face strict legal action. According to the chief minister, the sacrifice of those protecting the law would not be forgotten, and the government would intensify operations against terrorist networks across the province. He further emphasized that there would be no safe haven for militants in Balochistan and that the state’s authority would be upheld at all costs.

Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Information and Political Affairs, Shahid Rind, also denounced the attack, calling the killing of a judge and his security guard a deeply tragic incident. He said targeting members of the judiciary and legal community was part of a broader attempt to weaken the rule of law but insisted such efforts would fail. He added that the provincial government had directed authorities to provide the best possible medical care to the injured while extending full support to the victims’ families.

Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove expressed grief over the attack and ordered an immediate investigation. He directed the Inspector General of Police and the provincial commissioner to submit a detailed report and ensure the swift arrest of those responsible. He reaffirmed that protecting citizens and state institutions remains the government’s highest priority.

The Balochistan Bar Council strongly condemned the attack, describing it as an assault on the judiciary, the legal profession, and the rule of law. In protest, the council announced a two-day boycott of court proceedings and declared three days of mourning. Lawyers across the province will wear black armbands while appearing before courts. The council also demanded enhanced security for judges, lawyers, and court staff, reaffirming the legal community’s commitment to defending justice and standing united against terrorism.