Sessions judge, guard killed in Mastung attack

A sessions judge and his security guard were killed while an additional sessions judge and another person were critically injured after unidentified gunmen opened fire on their vehicle in Balochistan’s Mastung district on Thursday.

The judges were reportedly travelling from Quetta to the Sessions Court in Mastung when assailants opened fire on their vehicle in the Wali Khan area.

The deceased justice was identified as Sessions Judge Abdul Hakeem Kakar. Additional Sessions Judge Tariq Lashari and another individual sustained critical injuries and were shifted to hospital for treatment.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack, expressing grief over the deaths of Judge Kakar and his security guard. He prayed for the departed souls and extended condolences to the bereaved families.

The prime minister also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, including Additional Sessions Judge Lashari, and said such “cowardly acts” would never enable terrorists to achieve their objectives.

He reiterated the government’s resolve to eliminate terrorism in all its forms.

Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langau also condemned the attack, saying the judiciary serves society by upholding justice and describing the incident as a tragic loss.

Meanwhile, Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind termed the killing of the sessions judge and his gunman “deeply tragic and condemnable,” saying the attack on members of the judiciary was an attempt to challenge the writ of the state.

“Targeting judges and lawyers is part of a broader conspiracy to destabilise the province,” he said, adding that terrorists and their facilitators would be brought to justice.

Rind said the provincial government had ordered decisive action against those responsible and vowed to continue operations against terrorist networks until terrorism was completely eradicated from Balochistan. He also directed authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured.