Journalist among 3 killed in Khuzdar explosion

KABUL (Pajhwok): At least three people, including the president of the Khuzdar Press Club, have been killed and six others wounded in a bomb explosion in the Balochistan province of Pakistan.

Khuzdar police chief Ghulam Mustafa told the BBC Friday’s blast in Khuzdar targeted Khuzdar Press Club President Siddiqullah Mengal’s vehicle.

Mengal and two passers-by were killed and six others injured, Mustafa said.

According to reports, Jamiat Ulema-i- Islam (JUI-F) member Maulana Mohammad Seddiq Mengal came under attack on his way to a local mosque for Friday prayers.

Balochistan Interior Minister Mir Ziaullah Langau condemned the attack and directed security officials to arrest the perpetrators.

He called the bombing an attempt at muzzling the press and said: “The terrorists would never succeed in their nefarious designs and such attempts would not weaken the will of the government.”

The incident took place on the World Press Freedom Day. No one has so far claimed responsibility for the bomb attack in the province, where a local militant group has long been active.

aw/mud