QUETTA: Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) President and MNA Nawabzada Khalid Khan Magsi on Thursday survived an armed attack near the Notal area of Kachhi district on Quetta-Sukkur Highway.

Officials said the MNA was going to Jhal Magsi along with his security guards when armed men opened fire on his car near Notal area on the highway.

“Two bullets hit the car of Mr Magsi who is also parliamentary leader of BAP in the National Assembly,” Levies officials said, adding the attackers were dacoits who wanted to intercept the car for looting.

Mr Magsi’s guards immediately took positions and returned fire which continued for some time, forcing the attackers to escape from the scene.

“Though two bullets hit the car, Mr Magsi and his guards remained safe and no loss of life was reported,” a local administration official told Dawn.

Officials said the dacoits had robbed several people traveling in passenger buses and other vehicles on the highway before targeting Mr Magsi’s car.

The transporters and passengers who were dep­rived of their valuables, including cash and mobile phones, blocked the highway between Sibi and Bakhtiarabad, suspending traffic.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti has expressed concern over the incident and the directed the officials concerned to take all possible steps to improve the law and order situation.

Published in Dawn, May 31st, 2024