On Thursday, a police officer was killed in an armed assault on the office of the regional election commissioner in Turbat, Balochistan, as reported by the police.
Zia Mandokhel, the Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) of Kech, informed Dawn.com that unidentified attackers made an attempt to breach the office located in the Zaraat area. An exchange of gunfire took place, resulting in the tragic death of a police officer named Namrooz. The assailants managed to escape the scene.
Mandokhel mentioned that law enforcement personnel are currently present at the site, conducting an investigation into the incident.
This incident follows a statement made a day earlier by Balochistan Caretaker Chief Minister Mir Ali Mardan Khan Domki, assuring the government’s commitment to ensuring the security of election candidates and maintaining law and order for peaceful elections in the province.
Domki emphasized that the caretaker administration has taken additional measures to uphold law and order during the electoral process. He personally visited Turbat city to assess the preparations for conducting the general election transparently in the region.
In a separate incident last week, PPP candidate Mir Asghar Rind survived a grenade attack in Turbat. On January 15, unknown individuals targeted the Government Model High School in Kharan during a training session for polling staff. Fortunately, all government officials and election staff at the school escaped unharmed.
On January 18, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar established a seven-member committee tasked with ensuring the smooth conduct of the February 8 general elections and overseeing security arrangements.
