Protesters stage a sit-in with the victim’s body, blocking the Quetta highway and demanding action against the attackers.
Protesters block the Quetta airport road in front of the BA mall on Sunday. — PHOTO BY THE AUTHOR
QUETA:
Protesters continued to block Quetta Airport Road in front of BA Mall on Monday after a deadly gun battle in the Hanna Urak area that left four men dead and several injured, demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible and stronger security measures.
The protesters placed the body of the deceased on the road and organized a sit-in that is still ongoing, disrupting traffic on one of the city’s busiest roads. They insisted that they would continue their protest until the authorities took concrete measures against the attackers.
According to local sources, violence broke out when unidentified gunmen 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 large-scale operation against armed groups and demanded long-lasting security measures to prevent new attacks.
Read more: Armed clash near Quetta leaves four dead and seven injured
Political leaders and key government officials, including Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, later visited injured and affected families as well as members of the local community. Expressing solidarity with 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 they would raise their concerns with the relevant authorities and pledged to support efforts to improve security and bring those responsible for the attack to justice.
The protest continues and officials are continually holding negotiations with protesters to reopen Airport Road and restore normal traffic flow.
