QUETTA:
In a shocking development, the authorities recovered on Sunday the bodies of the commissioner of Ziarat Muhammad Afzal and his son, confiable sources confirmed. The two had been kidnapped almost two months ago from the Zerzari area of the Ziarat district by unidentified armed men.
Earlier this month, a video appeared that showed the official and his son supplying his release and urging to meet the demands of the captors. No group has assumed the responsibility of the murders.
Baluchistan’s prime minister, Mir Sarfraz Bugti, firmly condemned the incident, qualifying it as a “cowardly and inhuman act.” He promised that the perpetrators would be taken before justice, ensuring that no one involved in such crimes would be saved. The main minister also expressed solidarity with the afflicted family, promising that the government would use all the resources to locate those responsible.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, in a separate statement, said that those behind brutal murders would not escape a terrible destination. He paid brilliant tributes to the assistant commissioner, describing him as a dedicated, worker and capable that “will always remain alive in our hearts.”
“The martyred commissioner Muhammad Afzal reached the high rank of martyrdom while performing his duty,” Naqvi added, extending condolences to the afflicted family.
According to analysts, the incident underlines the persistent security challenges in Baluchistan, where directed kidnappings and attacks continue to instill fear among government officials and people.
Ziarat, a picturesque valley in northern Baluchistan famous for its juniper forests, has usually remained peaceful. However, during the last decade, terrorists have carried out sporadic attacks in the district.
