QUETTA: Three personnel of the Frontier Corps were killed in an attack here on Friday.

Police said that the three personnel were on a routine patrol in the Sabzal road area, a locality on the outskirts of the city, when gunmen riding a motorcycle opened fire on them near the Abdullah Chowk and fled.

All the three personnel suffered multiple bullet wounds. Two of them died on the spot and one was taken to the Bolan Medical College Complex Hospital, but he also died during treatment.

An FC spokesperson said that soon after the incident security personnel rushed to the area.

The victims were identified as Faizullah (Kohat), Abdul Latif (Dera Ghazi Khan) and Arifullah (Karak).

Capital City Police Officer Razzak Cheema visited the area after the incident where he told reporters that a search operation had been launched in the area to trace out people involved in the incident. He said there was a threat to security officials in the city.

Security officials said some suspects had been taken into custody for interrogation.

Meanwhile, funeral prayers for the slain personnel were offered at the FC headquarters. They were attended by FC Inspector General Major General Sher Afgun, provincial ministers and army and FC officers.

Later, the bodies were sent to the personnel’s native towns.

Balochistan Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti has condemned the killing of three FC personnel.

In a statement, he said that terrorists were targeting security officials because they had foiled many terror plots in the city.

He vowed to take all possible measures for the arrest of people involved in the incident. “The killers will be arrested and brought to justice at any cost,” he added.

He appreciated the role of security agencies in the restoration of peace in the province.

Published in Dawn, October 15th, 2016