Militants Loot and Torch Buildings in Khuzdar Attack
Armed militants launched a brazen attack on the Zehri tehsil market in Khuzdar district, setting fire to several key government buildings, including the Levies Force station, NADRA office, Municipal Committee offices, and a private bank.
The attackers wreaked havoc, leaving a trail of destruction as they vandalized records, took officials hostage, and looted over Rs90 million from the bank.
This coordinated assault not only targeted vital infrastructure but also disrupted the area for hours, showcasing the audacity of the perpetrators and the growing security challenges in the region.
Officials said that around 80 militants entered the area from nearby mountains at around 11 pm
and deployed armed men in the market and other places in the tehsil headquarters of Zehri,
and set up checkpoints and outposts on the mountains around Zehri bazaar, to counter any action by the security forces.
The militants stormed the Levies police station, took the officials hostage, vandalized records, and set the building on fire, damaging parts of the building, furniture, and other belongings.
According to bank officials in Quetta, the armed men later attacked a branch of a private bank, took the staff hostage,e and looted over Rs90 million from the strong room.
The outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Kalat Commissioner Naeem Khan Bazai told Dawn that armed militants entered Zehri in five vehicles and more than 20 motorcycles, armed with state-of-the-art automatic weapons, and were in the area for at least eight hours.
He said that when security forces arrived and launched an operation, the militants fled with two Lev I, as vehicles.
20 AK-47 rifles, 4,000 rounds, ammunition and 10 motorcycles were also recovered from their possession.
The militants also attacked the offices of the Zehri Municipal Committee, vandalizing records and setting the building on fire.
The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) office was also targeted, and government records, computers, and other equipment were destroyed.
The militants used loudspeakers in the central mosque to announce their control over the market and other areas and gave speeches to the people gathered there.
Security forces cordoned off the area after receiving information about the presence of the militants and launched an operation against the attackers.
Military helicopters were also called in to assist in the operation.
<p>Khuzdar Attack
