In a tragic and shocking incident, Muhammad Afzal, the Assistant Commissioner of Ziarat, and his 16-year-old son Muhammad Bilal were brutally murdered after being kidnapped by armed men in Balochistan’s Harnai district. The victims’ bodies were discovered in a remote and rugged area near Zard Aloo, confirming their deaths days after a coordinated search operation.
Bodies Found in Rugged Harnai Terrain After Coordinated Operation
According to Levies officials, the victims were abducted on August 10 while on a family outing in the Zizari area of Ziarat. The kidnappers reportedly seized Assistant Commissioner Afzal, his son Bilal, their driver, and bodyguard at gunpoint. The driver and bodyguard were later released, but Afzal and his son were taken to an unknown location.
Their bodies were eventually recovered in a search operation led by Additional Deputy Commissioner Harnai, Saleem Tareen, and involving Levies, Frontier Corps, district administration, and police under the directive of Additional Secretary Home Hamza Shafqat. Authorities reported that the killers had discarded the bodies in a steep, mountainous area, making recovery efforts extremely difficult.
Balochistan CM Vows Justice, Honors Victims’ Sacrifice
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti strongly condemned the killings, vowing that those behind the crime would be brought to justice. In a public statement, he described the incident as an attack on peace in the region, saying:
“The murderers of innocent people and the enemies of peace will not escape justice.”
Bugti also paid tribute to Assistant Commissioner Afzal and his son, calling their deaths a symbol of sacrifice in the pursuit of stability and peace in Balochistan.
The incident has sent shockwaves across the province and raised serious concerns over security in the region, particularly for government officials and their families. Investigations are ongoing, and no group has yet claimed responsibility for the kidnapping and murders.
