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Monday, October 26, 2009, Zhul-Q'ada 06, 1430

Balochistan minister gunned down
BLUF owns responsibility; Two cops shot dead

Ghulam Tahir

Quetta—Education Minister Balochistan Shafiq Ahmad Khan has been murdered in broad daylight on Sunday by unidentified culprits. Shafiq Ahmad Khan was a diehard PPP leader.

After the attack he was taken to civil hospital and was pronounced dead. The assailants who were riding on motorcycle escaped from the scene of occurrence. Shafiq Ahmad received four bullets in the head fired by the assailants stated to be expert marksmen.

President provincial PPP Nawabzada Lashkari Raisani said that it is deep conspiracy hatched by public enemies. He has declared three-day mourning.

Large number of people on hearing the sad demise reached Shafiq Ahmad Khan’s house. A protest rally was also taken by the angry crowd.

A joint team of Intelligence Bureau and FIA has been set up to probe the assassination. The city is in grip of grief and uneasy calm is prevailing.

The observers maintained that the public doubt the professional competence of the police to protect the life of citizens. Shafiq Ahmad Khan is to be laid to rest in local graveyard on Monday (today). Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has strongly condemned the killing of Shafiq Ahmed Khan and ordered for inquiry.

Baloch Liberation United Front (BLUF) has claimed the responsibility of killing Balochistan Education Minister, Shafiq Ahmad Khan.

Spokesman Baloch Liberation United Front (BLUF), Shahak Baloch told a private news agency from unknown location via telephone that assassination of Balochistan Education Minister, Shafiq Ahmad Khan is result of the state killing of Baloch leader Ghulam Muhammad Baloch, Sher Muhammad Baloch, Lala Munir and other leaders.

Shahak Baloch said that Baloch fighters are taking the revenge of blood of their Baloch leaders who were killed by state.

He said that BLUF will continue insurgency in the province until attainment of objectives. He said that Balochistan Education Minister, Shafiq Ahmad Khan was following the policies of enemy. Therefore, he was removed from the path, he added.

Meanwhile, two police personnel including SHO were shot dead in firing by some unidentified miscreants in Tehsil Zehri of Khuzdar on Sunday.

According to the police, SHO Zehri Police Station Mir Riaz Zehri along with another policeman was on routine patrol when some unidentified miscreants riding motorcyclist opened fire at them in Tehsil Zehri of District Khuzdar.

As a result of firing SHO Mir Riaz Zehri was killed on the spot while Farooq sustained critical injures and was shifted to local hospital. Later he also succumbed to his injuries.

The assailants managed to escape from scene after committing dual murder. The police and security forces reached the scene soon after incident and after cordoning off the entire area started the search for the culprits however no arrest was made till the report filed.

An atmosphere of fear and uncertainty gripped the area and all the markets and offices were shut down after the incident. The heirs of deceased held strong protest against target killing of their beloved ones and demanded of the security authorities to arrested culprits and award them with exemplary punishment. Meanwhile, a case also been registered in Zehri Police Station and investigations were underway.

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