QUETTA, July 24: Two gunmen opened fire on the Deputy Director of Schools belonging to the Shia Hazara community, injuring him and his colleague, but despite having been hit by three bullets, the officer gave a hot chase to the assailants and hit one of them with his car, killing him on the spot.

Police said that when Deputy Director of Schools Abrar Hussain and his associate arrived near the Directorate of Education on the Shahwakshah road, the two gunmen started firing at his car.

“Mr Abrar Hussain suffered multiple bullet wounds in the back, shoulder and neck,” police said. But the injured officer instead of stopping his car chased the fleeing attackers and knocked one of them down. The other gunman ran away leaving the body of his companion behind.

Sources said the companion of Abrar Huissain was also injured.

Some witnesses said that the attackers were standing behind a tree and fired a volley of shots as Mr Hussain arrived.

Police rushed to the area and took Mr Hussain and his injured associate to the Combined Military Hospital. The body of the attacker was kept in the Sandeman Civil Hospital morgue. The officer, who belonged to the Hazara community, lived in the Alamdar road area. Doctors said Mr Hussain was out of danger.

Police said that during the search of the body of the attacker, two 9mm pistols were recovered.

It may be mentioned that a large number of teachers of universities, colleges and schools and officials of the Education Department have been gunned down in Balochistan over the past few years and many academicians and other government officials have got themselves transferred to other provinces because of serious law and order situation in the province.

International rights organisations have declared Balochistan a dangerous place for journalists, teachers and people belonging to a few communities because of targeted killings and other forms of violence.