DID Press: Widespread shutdowns and coordinated armed attacks have plunged Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province into heightened instability, with markets closing across major cities and security forces coming under fire in multiple districts.
The unrest follows a strike call by the Baloch National Party in protest over the killing of the son of a prominent party figure in the Khuzdar region.
As part of the shutdown, markets in Quetta and more than 15 other towns were closed, bringing commercial activity to a standstill for several hours.
Organizers of the strike have demanded clarification over the incident and called for attention to broader political and security grievances raised by local parties.
Coordinated Attacks on Security Forces
Alongside the shutdown, multiple armed incidents were reported across the province. Security sources said unidentified gunmen attacked police checkpoints in Qila Abdullah, Pishin, and Duki districts.
During the clashes, one police officer was killed and two others were injured. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks so far.
Fuel Tankers Torched in Separate Incident
In a separate incident, armed assailants stopped and set fire to six gas tankers in the Nushki area while they were en route to the Taftan border crossing. The attack caused significant financial losses, and security forces have launched an investigation to identify those responsible.
Authorities have stepped up security operations as tensions remain high across the province.