Pakistan: Three Afghan Nationals Killed in Gun Attack in Quetta, One Injured

QUETTA (Terror Monitor) — Three Afghan nationals were killed and another was injured after unidentified armed assailants opened fire on them in Quetta, the capital of Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, police said.

The attack took place on Tuesday night at Hazarganji Cross on the outskirts of Quetta, according to police officials.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Khizar Hayat said four Afghan nationals had arrived in Quetta from Dalbandin, a town in Chagai district near the Afghan border. They were reportedly planning to travel onward to Gulistan in Qila Abdullah district, another border district of Balochistan.

According to police, the four men were waiting at Hazarganji Cross for transport to Gulistan when two unidentified armed men riding a motorcycle approached them and opened fire before fleeing the scene.

Two of the Afghan nationals were killed at the scene, while two others sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to a hospital for treatment. One of the injured victims later succumbed to his wounds, bringing the death toll to three.

The remaining injured Afghan national is receiving medical treatment.

Police said preliminary investigations indicated that the victims had been working for someone in Dalbandin and had travelled to Quetta while intending to proceed to Gulistan.

Authorities have not yet established a motive for the attack, and no group has claimed responsibility. Police have launched an investigation and are attempting to identify and apprehend the attackers.

The latest incident comes days after another Afghan national was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Quetta.

Police said the earlier attack took place on Sunday within the jurisdiction of Shalkot Police Station. The victim was identified as Hazratullah, also known as Auror Achakzai.

According to police, Hazratullah was residing in Quetta and was sitting at a shop when unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants opened fire on him. He was killed in the attack, while the assailants managed to escape.

Police are investigating whether the two attacks are connected.