Gunmen Target Judges Travelling from Quetta
A sessions judge and his police security guard were killed in a targeted gun attack in Balochistan’s Mastung district on Thursday.
Additional Sessions Judge Tariq Lashari and a judicial magistrate were also seriously injured in the attack.
The shooting took place near the Wali Khan Bypass railway crossing on the National Highway.
According to police, the judicial officers were travelling from Quetta to the Sessions Court in Mastung when unidentified armed men attacked their vehicle.
The assailants opened intense fire on the vehicle before escaping from the area.
Sessions Judge Abdul Hakeem Kakar and his security guard, Muhammad Zaman, suffered fatal bullet injuries.
Both died following the attack.
The injured judicial officers were immediately taken to Shaheed Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Raisani Memorial Hospital for emergency treatment.
Additional Sessions Judge Tariq Lashari was reportedly moved to an operation theatre because of the severity of his injuries.
The condition of the injured judicial magistrate was also described as serious in initial reports.
Officials confirmed that the judges were travelling to Mastung to perform their official court duties when they were ambushed.
Security Forces Launch Search for Attackers
Police and other law enforcement agencies reached the attack site shortly after receiving information about the shooting.
Security personnel cordoned off the National Highway and the surrounding Wali Khan Bypass area.
Investigators examined the targeted vehicle and collected evidence from the scene.
A search operation was launched in nearby areas to trace the gunmen and identify possible escape routes.
Police officials said an investigation was underway to determine the motive behind the attack.
Authorities were also working to establish whether the attackers had followed the judges’ vehicle from Quetta or had been waiting near the bypass.
The bodies of Sessions Judge Abdul Hakeem Kakar and Muhammad Zaman were transferred to hospital for legal and medical procedures.
Officials had not immediately announced any arrests.
The identities and affiliations of the attackers also remained unknown in the initial hours following the assault.
The killing has raised serious concerns about the safety of judges, court officials and other public servants travelling through sensitive areas of Balochistan.
Judicial officers regularly travel between Quetta and surrounding districts to attend court proceedings and carry out official assignments.
The attack occurred while the victims were travelling in an official capacity, increasing concerns about security arrangements provided to members of the lower judiciary.
Balochistan Chief Minister Condemns Deadly Attack
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti strongly condemned the killing of Sessions Judge Abdul Hakeem Kakar and his security guard.
He described the assassination of the judge as an attack on the state.
Bugti said those responsible would be identified, arrested and punished.
He also warned that the provincial government would take action against the attackers and anyone assisting them.
The chief minister said the sacrifices of the victims would not be forgotten.
He pledged to intensify operations against militant networks operating across Balochistan.
Bugti said the government would continue taking action against groups attempting to challenge the state’s authority and disturb peace in the province.
The incident comes amid continuing security challenges in parts of Balochistan, where judges, police personnel, government officials and security forces have faced repeated attacks.
Authorities are expected to review the security arrangements for judicial officers following the deadly ambush.
The attack has also highlighted the risks faced by judges serving in districts affected by violence and instability.
Further details are expected after police complete the initial investigation and record statements from the surviving victims and witnesses.
