Hindu Trader Shot Dead In Pakistan’s Balochistan, Police Register Case

A Hindu trader was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants inside his shop in Noshki town of Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province, with police registering a case as the motive behind the killing remains unclear.

The incident took place on Friday in the Qadirabad Stop area of Noshki Bazaar, according to media reports. The attackers reportedly barged into the shop of trader Rakesh Kumar and opened fire after he resisted them. They fled the scene after the shooting, leaving Kumar dead on the spot.

Police reached the location after being alerted and shifted Kumar’s body to the district hospital, where he was identified. A case has been registered against the unidentified attackers, while an investigation is underway.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the killing. The motive behind the attack has also not been established.

The killing drew condemnation from Gurpal Singh, a Member of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Assembly, who termed it a cowardly act by elements hostile to the state and Balochistan.

Singh said the Hindu community has been an integral part of Balochistan for centuries and has repeatedly demonstrated its loyalty to Pakistan and the province.

He said targeting innocent Hindu traders and civilians would not help hostile elements create hatred and fear among people.

Singh called on the Balochistan government and law enforcement agencies to immediately identify and arrest those responsible for Kumar’s killing. He also sought action against their facilitators and others behind the attack.

The incident comes amid continuing security challenges in Balochistan, where militant violence and attacks by armed groups remain a major concern.

On Saturday, a separate IED blast in Mastung district killed a security official and injured six people, according to reports. Authorities launched a search operation following the blast. There is no indication so far that the Mastung incident is connected to Kumar’s killing.

Authorities have not publicly established whether Kumar’s killing was linked to his religious identity, and the investigation into the attack is continuing.