Quetta:
In a shocking development, the authorities recovered the bodies of the deputy commissioner of Ziarat, Muhammad Afzal and his son, confirmed reliable sources on Sunday. The two had been removed almost two months ago from the Zerzari region of the Ziarat district by unidentified armed men.
Earlier this month, a video had surfaced showing the civil servant and his son pleading for their release and urging that the requests of the kidnappers are satisfied. No group has claimed the responsibility of the murders.
The chief minister of Balutchistan, Mir Sarfraz Bugti, firmly condemned the incident, calling him a “loose and inhuman act”. He swore that the authors would be brought to justice, assuring that no one involved in such crimes would be spared. The chief minister also expressed his solidarity with the bereaved family, committing to the government to use all the resources to find the officials.
The Minister of the Interior, Mohin Naqvi, in a separate declaration, said that brutal massacres would not escape an awful spell. He paid a brilliant tribute to the assistant commissioner, describing him as a dedicated, worker and competent officer who “will always remain alive in our hearts”.
“The martyred assistant commissioner Muhammad Afzal has reached the high rank of martyrdom while exercising his duty,” added Naqvi, an extension of condolences to the mourning family.
According to analysts, the incident highlights persistent security challenges in Balutchistan, where abduction and targeted attacks continue to instill fear between government officials and people.
Ziarat, a picturesque valley in northern Balutchistan, famous for its juniper forests, has generally remained peaceful. However, over the past decade, terrorists have led sporadic attacks in the district.
