• Peace force member martyred, three injured; seven ‘terrorists’ arrested
• Tribal leader shot dead in Khuzdar; Bizenjo’s residence attacked

QUETTA/KHUZDAR: At least eight suspected terrorists were killed in a clash with the Bugti Peace Force, a pro-government tribal militia, in the Loti area of Dera Bugti district on Saturday, according to police officials.

A policeman who was part of the peace force was martyred and three other members were injured during the clash.

Separately, a tribal leader was killed in the Naal area of Khuzdar and firing was also reported at the residence of Sardar Aslam Bizenjo, a central leader of the National Party, in the same area.

Police officials said that following the clash, the peace force arrested seven suspected terrorists who allegedly belonged to a banned outfit.

Sources said armed men attacked the residence of Dera Bugti District Council Chairman Ghulam Nabi Shambani and a gas company camp in the Loti area of Dera Bugti district with heavy weapons in the early hours of Saturday.

The Bugti Peace Force personnel, who were deployed for the protection of the district council chairman and the gas company camp, took positions and returned fire.

An exchange of fire continued for over an hour, during which heavy weapons, including rockets, were used by both sides. Some attackers were killed in the exchange of fire.

Sources said that after the heavy exchange of fire, some attackers escaped from the site. However, they returned later in the day and again attacked the residence of the Dera Bugti district council chairman, who is close to Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti.

The sources added that eight attackers were killed in the exchange of fire while seven others were arrested by the peace force. Their bodies were shifted to Loti hospital.

“A member of the peace force identified as Fazal Khan lost his life as he suffered multiple bullet injuries,” a police official said.

“Three other members of the peace force, who were injured in the clash, were shifted to a hospital,” he added.

The official said further action and investigation into the incident were underway.

Tribal leader shot dead

Meanwhile, a tribal leader, Sardar Ghulam Nabi Siyahpad, was gunned down by unidentified attackers in the Naal area of Khuzdar district.

Police officials said the attackers, riding motorcycles, opened fire on the tribal leader while he was sitting outside his house in the evening.

He sustained multiple bullet wounds and died at the spot, while the attackers fled.

In a separate incident, unidentified men opened fire at the residence of National Party central leader and former provincial minister Sardar Muhammad Aslam Bizenjo in Naal town, injuring one of his security guards.

“Sardar Bizenjo was not present in the house at the time,” a police officer said.

Police launched investigations into the incidents. No group has so far claimed responsibility for either attack.

The National Party’s Khuzdar district chapter condemned the firing on Sardar Bizenjo’s residence and demanded an immediate, transparent and impartial investigation.

In a statement, the party’s district spokesperson said targeting the residence of a political and tribal leader was a matter of concern and urged the authorities to ensure effective security for Mr Bizenjo, his family and residence.

The National Party expressed solidarity with Mr Bizenjo and his family and prayed for the early recovery of the injured security guard.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2026