The Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Panjgur Zakir Baloch was assassinated by unknown armed men in the Mastung District of Balochistan on Monday.

Zakir Baloch was travelling on the National Highway near the Khada-Kucha area along with two people, District Chairman Malik Jan and Ahmed Jan, towards Quetta when at least 15 armed people attacked the vehicle, Geo News reported.

All three suffered bullet injuries, after which the DC and his friends were shifted to a nearby hospital. Zakir succumbed to his injuries; however, his friends were referred to Quetta Civil Hospital’s trauma centre for further treatment.

In recent years, the security situation has been getting worse as foreign-funded militant organisations increase their foothold in the troubled province.

Journalist Iftikhar Firdous posted on X, “The deputy commissioner of Panjgur has been killed by at least two dozen attackers opening firing at his vehicle; local said that militants had set up a checkpoint looking for government officials.”

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack, expressing grief over the martyrdom of DC Zakir Baloch.