A sessions judge and his police security guard were martyred, and an additional sessions judge was seriously injured after unidentified armed assailants sprayed their vehicle with bullets on the National Highway in Mastung, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Thursday.
According to the local Station House Officer (SHO), Sessions Judge Abdul Hakeem Kakar and his gunman Muhammad Zaman lost their lives in the gun attack as they were travelling from Quetta to the Sessions Court in Mastung.
Additional Sessions Judge Tariq Lashari and a judicial magistrate sustained serious injuries and were shifted to nearby Shaheed Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Raisani Memorial Hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Judge Tariq Lashari was rushed into the operation theater for urgent surgery.
Police and other law enforcement agencies rushed to the scene immediately after the incident, secured the Wali Khan Bypass railway crossing area, and launched a search operation to trace and apprehend the attackers.
Police said the judges were travelling from Quetta to the Sessions Court in Mastung when their vehicle came under attack. The ambush occurred while they were on their way to perform official duties.
CM Sarfraz Bugti talks to injured Additional Sessions Judge Tariq Lashari
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti made telephonic contact with Additional Sessions Judge Tariq Lashari, who was injured in the Mastung attack on Thursday.
IN a phone call, Chief Minister Balochistan inquired about the well-being of Additional Sessions Judge and expressed best wishes expressed for the speedy and complete recovery of the injured judge.
"We will ensure you are fully cared for until your complete recovery," said Mir Sarfraz Bugti remarked while speaking to the injured Additional Sessions Judge. He made it clear that attacks on the guardians of the law were intolerable and those involved will be brought to justice. CM Sarfraz Bugti said the provincial government stands with the judiciary and law enforcement agencies at every step.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly condemned firing incident near Mastung targeting Sessions Judge Abdul Hakeem Kakar and Judicial Magistrate Tariq Lashari. In a statement, Interior Minister Naqvi expressed grief over the incident resulting in the deaths of Sessions Judge Abdul Hakeem and his gunman.
Naqvi extended heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the bereaved families. Interior Minister prayed for the elevation of the ranks of the deceased and for the speedy recovery of injured Judicial Magistrate Tariq Lashari and others.
He said that such cowardly acts of terrorists cannot shake the nation's firm resolve. Naqvi asserted that the nation will always stand with the martyred families.
‘An attack on State,’ says CM Bugti
Strongly condemning the Mastung terrorist attack, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti described the assault on the sessions judge as “an attack on the state.”
In a statement, he vowed that the terrorists involved would be pursued and brought to justice without exception.
“The blood of our judges and law enforcement personnel will not be shed in vain,” the chief minister said, adding that there would be no leniency for terrorists or their facilitators. He reiterated that the government would crush those challenging the writ of the state and eliminate every terrorist network operating in Balochistan.
CM Bugti further pledged to intensify counterterrorism operations across the province, stating that Balochistan will not serve as a safe haven for terrorists. He emphasized that those responsible for the deadly attack would be held accountable and that the fight against terrorism would continue with full force.
The Mastung attack on the judiciary has prompted heightened security measures in the area, while authorities continue investigations to identify and arrest the perpetrators.
Reporter Essa Tarin