Quetta, June 9: A journalist was shot dead by unidentified assailants in the Mousakhail area of Balochistan, Pakistan, according to local media reports citing police sources.
The victim, Lala Israfeel, was a reporter for a private television channel and was outside his shop when the attackers on a motorcycle opened fire. Police confirmed that he died at the scene.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear. Authorities stated that Israfeel had not reported any threats in recent days, and no group has claimed responsibility for the assault.
The Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ) condemned the incident, expressing deep concern and sorrow within the journalist community. This tragic event raises serious questions about the safety of journalists in the region.
In a joint statement, BUJ President Manzoor Ahmed Rind and General Secretary Shah Hussain Tareen urged Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti and Provincial Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove to take immediate action. They called for a thorough investigation into the incident to uncover the motives behind the attack and to bring the perpetrators to justice swiftly.
Last week, the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) released its monthly security report, indicating a deterioration in the security situation in Pakistan, particularly due to an increase in terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
According to the latest PICSS report, there was a resurgence in terrorist attacks in May after a relative lull. Notably, incidents of violence, deaths, suicide bombings, and kidnappings surged in these provinces, highlighting ongoing security challenges.
In May, 128 terrorist attacks were recorded, up from 101 in April, marking an increase of approximately 27 percent. The violence resulted in the deaths of 71 civilians, 68 security personnel, and six members of peace committees. Additionally, 147 civilians, 35 security personnel, and three peace committee members were injured.
The number of civilian deaths rose from 37 in April to 71 in May, a staggering increase of about 92 percent. Security personnel fatalities also rose significantly, from 28 to 68, representing an increase of nearly 143 percent.
According to reports, there were six suicide attacks in Pakistan during May, resulting in the deaths of 34 security personnel and nine civilians. Balochistan was the most affected province, with 71 terrorist attacks recorded, a dramatic increase from 34 in April, reflecting a rise of nearly 109 percent. Throughout Pakistan, there were 54 reported kidnappings in May, with 52 occurring in Balochistan alone.
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