Two police personnel, including the first female constable in the history of Balochistan Police to be martyred in the line of duty, were killed during a shootout in Khuzdar.

Lady Constable Malik Naz and Head Constable Sami Ullah have been martyred on Monday when militants opened fire on a police team in Bajoi, a mountainous town 35 kilometres from Khuzdar city. Three other officers sustained injuries during the exchange.

The police party was conducting a search operation in the area following a robbery complaint. Khuzdar Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Abdul Qudus confirmed that Malik Naz was part of the team to facilitate the search of homes.

“Both the slain constables were local residents of Khuzdar district,” ASP Qudus stated, adding that law enforcement agencies have launched a search operation in the remote terrain to arrest the attackers.

Malik Naz’s path to the police force was rooted in a history of service. She joined the Levies in 2013 to continue the work of her late husband Abdul Ghani, a Levies officer who was martyred in 2011. She leaves behind three young children.

Naz has drawn praise from social media and provincial officials. 

Provincial Home Minister Ziaullah Langove praised the bravery of the fallen officers and vowed that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.

“The sacrifices of police soldiers in the fight against terrorism are a matter of pride for the nation,” Langove said.

Shahid Rind, Assistant to the Chief Minister for Political and Media Affairs, noted that the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) is now investigating the attack. He maintained that operations against criminal elements will continue and the writ of the state will be upheld.

Public reaction highlighted the specific nature of the target, observers noted the symbolic weight of Malik Naz’s sacrifice, calling her a “true daughter” of the province who defended her post against terrorists. 

One commentator mentioned that the soil of Balochistan is “sanctified by the blood of its bravest daughter” following what they described as a cowardly BLA attack.

Further reactions characterized her as a widow of a martyr who chose to serve until her own martyrdom, describing her courage as a “shield” for the region. Social media users emphasized that she was martyred while valiantly defending her post, with many calling her story one of “unmatched devotion”.