Armed Militants Take Control of Manguchar, Block Quetta-Karachi Highway
Manguchar. Heavily armed militants have taken control of Manguchar bazaar in Kalat’s Johan Cross area, effectively seizing the Quetta-Karachi National Highway and suspending all forms of traffic. Gunfire has been reported intermittently from the market area, though no casualties have been confirmed yet.
Eyewitnesses report that dozens of militants have occupied key government and military buildings. The central camp of the security forces in the area came under heavy attack, with sounds of intense gunfire and explosions echoing throughout the town.
In a separate but possibly related incident, a Levies personnel was martyred at the Kot Langoo Levies checkpoint in Khaliqabad when unidentified gunmen on motorcycles opened fire. The slain officer has been identified as Haq Nawaz, son of Lal Muhammad, belonging to the Langoo tribe. The attackers managed to flee the scene, and investigations are ongoing.
Additionally, a powerful explosion occurred beneath a bridge in the Rahimabad area of Manguchar, causing minor structural damage but no reported casualties, according to Levies sources.
The situation remains tense in the region, with security forces on high alert and local residents gripped by fear.
