NORTH WAZIRISTAN/QUETTA: An independent election candidate from the provincial assembly constituency PK-104 was gunned down along with his two companions in a targeted attack in the Mir Ali area of North Waziristan district on Wednesday, police officials said.
Malik Kalimullah Dawar Assassination:
- Malik Kalimullah Dawar, a candidate, was targeted and killed along with two others in an attack while traveling to his home in the Tapi area.
- The incident involved unidentified assailants opening fire on their car, resulting in the immediate death of all three individuals.
- This was not the first attempt on Malik Dawar’s life, as he had previously survived multiple assassination attempts.
- The attack occurred in the same area where former lawmaker Mohsin Dawar’s vehicle was shot at during an election campaign the previous week.
Mir Aslam Buledi’s Attack:
- Mir Aslam Buledi, a senior nationalist politician and PML-N’s candidate for NA-258 (Turbat-Panjgur), was critically injured in an armed assault during his evening walk in Turbat town.
- Unidentified gunmen on motorcycles used an AK-47 to open fire on Mr. Buledi before fleeing the scene.
- Mir Buledi, a former senator and provincial agriculture minister, received four bullets and was rushed to Turbat Teaching Hospital. Plans were underway to transfer him to Karachi for advanced treatment.
- Mir Aslam Buledi recently joined PML-N and was awarded the party ticket for NA-258.
- No individual or group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.
Official Response:
- Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Ali Mardan Domki, provincial ministers, and political leaders strongly condemned the attack on Mr. Buledi, labeling it as a “terrorist attack.”
- The Chief Minister sought a report from the Home Department and directed law enforcement agencies to take immediate steps for the arrest of the assailants.
- Assurance was given that the government would take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of candidates participating in the upcoming elections, emphasizing the commitment to holding peaceful elections.
