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QUETTA: Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove remained safe after armed attackers targeted his convoy in Mastung on Friday. The attack took place in the Khad Kocha area. Langove was travelling from Kalat to Quetta when his convoy came under fire. The minister was not injured in the attack. However, six people sustained bullet wounds. Three of the injured were police personnel accompanying the convoy. The injured were immediately taken to Nawab Raisani Memorial Hospital for treatment. Hospital officials said six wounded people were brought to the facility. Two injured people were in serious condition. Two others were later referred to Quetta for further medical treatment. Security forces quickly surrounded the area after the attack. A search operation was launched to trace the attackers and determine their whereabouts. Security personnel also began collecting evidence from the site. The authorities are investigating how the attackers targeted the convoy and managed to escape. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack. The incident has raised fresh security concerns in Mastung and surrounding areas. Balochistan has witnessed several attacks in recent years, with security forces frequently conducting operations against armed groups. Langove belongs to the Balochistan Awami Party. He assumed the provincial home ministry in March this year. He has previously served as Balochistan’s home minister. His earlier appointment was later declared invalid after he was removed from the provincial cabinet in August 2024. The latest attack has prompted authorities to review security arrangements for senior government officials travelling through sensitive areas.

ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has called for restraint and dialogue amid the ongoing protest movement in Kashmir, urging state institutions to prioritize reconciliation over confrontation. In a video message released on Friday, the veteran religious and political leader said demonstrations in Kashmir have continued for nearly two months, describing the movement as a reflection of public frustration. He paid tribute to the patience and resilience of the Kashmiri people, saying they had shown remarkable endurance despite prolonged unrest. According to Fazlur Rehman, tensions escalated on June 5, prompting efforts by a mediation committee to help resolve the crisis through negotiations. He said the committee had approached him with confidence to support a peaceful settlement, but claimed its efforts did not receive the attention they deserved from the authorities. The JUI-F chief alleged that the government had remained focused on suppressing the movement through the use of force rather than engaging in meaningful dialogue. He appealed to the protest committee to allow more time for mediation and avoid taking any major step that could further escalate the situation. “I salute the patience and perseverance of the Kashmiri people,” Fazlur Rehman said, adding that the movement was spreading across Kashmir and drawing attention from audiences around the world. He also urged state institutions to adopt a path of peace instead of violence, emphasizing that reconciliation and mutual understanding were essential for resolving political disputes and restoring stability. The remarks come at a time of heightened political activity and continued demonstrations in parts of Kashmir, where various groups have been calling for action on governance and public concerns. While political leaders continue to offer differing assessments of the situation, Fazlur Rehman stressed that dialogue remains the most effective way to reduce tensions and move toward a lasting solution.

Karachi Police Chief Azad Khan has said that investigations into the death of Mir Raza are continuing from every possible angle, adding that recovering the missing weapon could be crucial in determining what happened. Speaking to the media, Azad Khan said the initial medical report was prepared by a doctor working under the police surgeon. The medico-legal officer (MLO) examined the body and submitted the report to the police surgeon, who kept it for two days before it was released. He questioned why any concerns regarding the report were not addressed immediately. According to the police chief, the police surgeon neither personally examined the body nor conducted the medical examination, and any reservations about the findings should have been communicated to investigators without delay. Azad Khan said police based their early investigation on the preliminary medico-legal report provided by the MLO. He added that confirmation of gunpowder residue on the deceased’s hands was also essential to the investigation. The police chief said the Crime Scene Unit collected evidence from the scene and handed all relevant material over to the medical team. He also questioned why the medical team did not visit the crime scene, noting that in many countries medical experts inspect the scene themselves, particularly in high-profile cases. He said that if Mir Raza’s family requests it, another medical examination can be conducted. Meanwhile, investigators are looking into the disappearance of the weapon believed to be linked to the case. Azad Khan also confirmed that police are searching for a waste collector seen in a video recorded near the scene. He said locating the missing weapon could help investigators resolve key questions surrounding Mir Raza’s death. The investigation remains ongoing, with police continuing to gather evidence and examine all possible leads.