The martyred police officer, her husband and their son injured in the Turbat shooting

QUETA:

A police constable was martyred, while her husband and son were injured after unidentified gunmen opened fire on them in Turbat, Balochistan, on Saturday, the Balochistan Home Department confirmed.

According to Home Department Assistant Babar Yousafzai, “This morning in Turbat, the brave daughter of Balochistan and police officer, Lady Constable Shakeela, was martyred in a terrorist attack.”

He said killing the officer in front of her children was an act of open terrorism and extreme brutality, adding that the terrorists had fired 31 bullets at an innocent family.

“The attacks against women and children are proof of the cowardly mentality of terrorists and ‘Fitna al-Hindustan’ “He shows no respect for women or innocent children,” she said.

Yousafzai said the brave police officer sacrificed her life for the country and her sacrifice would not be in vain.

“The people of Balochistan and the security forces are united against terrorism and the terrorist elements are nearing their logical end. The morale of the women personnel remains high and the fight against terrorism will continue,” he added.

Yousafzai said that “Fitna al-Hindustan” he wanted to deprive Baloch youth of education, and that attacking female staff and teachers was open terrorism.

“Professor Ghamkhwar Hayat was also martyred this morning, while there are concerns that Gwadar University Vice-Chancellor Dr Razaq Sabir and Dr Manzoor have also been kidnapped by ‘Fitna al-Hindustan’,” he added.

He further said that the terrorists wanted to close the doors of education in Balochistan; However, the people of Balochistan have rejected the agenda of terrorism and ignorance.

“The aim of terrorists is to spread fear, ignorance and unrest in Balochistan, while anti-educational elements seek to darken the future of Baloch youth. The people of Balochistan, teachers and security forces are united against terrorism,” he said.

According to police, the incident took place near Absar Research Farm area in Turbat, where Shakeela was traveling on a motorcycle with her husband Sunil Jan and son towards the market when unidentified assailants opened indiscriminate fire on them.

As a result of the shooting, Shakeela died on the spot, while her husband and son suffered serious injuries.

Police registered a case and launched a search operation for the attackers, while security was beefed up at entry and exit points of the city.

Read: Violence in Quetta claims 21 lives in a month

Later, in a statement, Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid tribute to the martyred officer and said that “the brave daughter of Balochistan sacrificed her life for the country while doing her duty.”

He said Constable Shakeela had achieved the “great status of martyrdom” and added that “the nation salutes the brave daughter who laid down her life.”

Naqvi said the sacrifice of the slain police officer will always be remembered and described women officers like her as “the pride of the nation.” He also prayed for the speedy recovery of Shakeela’s husband and son, who were injured in the attack.