Protesters stage sit-in with victim’s body, blocking Quetta road and demanding action against attackers
Protesters block Quetta’s Airport Road outside BA Mall on Sunday. — PHOTO BY AUTHOR
QUETTA:
Protesters continued to block Quetta’s Airport Road outside BA Mall on Monday after a deadly armed clash in the Hanna Urak area left four men dead and several others injured, demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible and stronger security measures.
The demonstrators placed the body of the deceased on the road and staged a sit-in, which is still going on, disrupting traffic on one of the city’s busiest routes. They insisted they would continue their protest until authorities took concrete action against the attackers.
According to local sources, the violence erupted when unidentified armed men reportedly confronted local tribesmen and residents in Hanna Urak. The incident sparked outrage among residents, who accused authorities of failing to maintain law and order in the area. Protesters called for a full-scale operation against armed groups and demanded lasting security arrangements to prevent further attacks.
Read More: Armed clash near Quetta leaves four dead, seven injured
Political leaders and key government officials, including Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, later visited the injured and affected families, as well as members of the local community. Expressing solidarity with the residents, they condemned the violence and said innocent people should not be forced to live under the constant threat of armed attacks.
They assured the community that their concerns would be raised with the relevant authorities and pledged to support efforts aimed at improving security and bringing those responsible for the attack to justice.
The protest is still going on, and officials are continually holding negotiations with demonstrators to reopen Airport Road and restore normal traffic flow.
