QUETTA: In a second targeted attack on police in as many days, another official belonging to Hazara community was martyred in Quetta on Wednesday.

The deadly shooting on the Benazir Bhutto overhead bridge marked the third killing of police personnel belonging to the Hazara community within the past 24 hours in Quetta.

Police constable Mohammad Jawad was on his way to perform duty in the Police Lines area when the assailants sprayed him with bullets using automatic weapons, officials said.

On Tuesday, two policemen guarding a polio vaccination team were shot dead in the Nawa Killi area on the first day of a week-long vaccination drive. Both cops were also from the Hazara community.

In response to the attacks, the Hazara community expressed their grief and anger by blocking the western bypass in protest. The protest caused traffic suspension for several hours. No group or individual immediately claimed responsibility for the shootings.

The situation remains tense as the authorities search for the perpetrators behind the attacks and try to bring justice to the families of the martyred.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2023