9 cops martyred in terrorist attack on police post in Ziarat

QUETTA: At least nine policemen, including two senior officers, were martyred in a terrorist attack on a police post in Balochistan’s Ziarat district on Tuesday, officials said.

Ziarat Deputy Commissioner (DC) Abdul Qudoos Achakzai confirmed that it was a terrorist incident, adding that it occurred in the Mangi Dam area.

He added that nine policemen, including two senior officers, had been martyred.

The DC said the whereabouts of five policemen were still unknown, adding that additional personnel had been dispatched to the area.

Last month, unidentified armed men had attacked police installations in Qila Abdullah, Pishin and Duki districts, martyring a policeman and injuring two others.

In April, a police head constable was martyred in a terrorist attack on a checkpost in the Huramzai area of Pishin district.

Data from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies showed that despite several high-profile attacks, Pakistan witnessed a decline in overall anti-state violence and related security incidents during the month of June.

Providing a province-wise breakdown for June, PICSS observed that Balochistan witnessed a “significant decline” in terrorism.

The province recorded 49 attacks in June compared with 71 in May, marking a 31pc reduction.