Brutal Killings and Endless Tyranny

QUETTA, October 28th, 2010: In yet another kidnapping-turned-targeted killing incident four more members of the Hazara tribe have been shot dead in Quetta on Thursday. The victims were identified as Haji Ali Akbar, his son Samad Ali, their employee Abid and bodyguard Jaffar Abbas.

According to reliable sources, the victims were on their way home in a Suzuki Van when two armed men ambushed them on Masjid Road, dragging Samad (in his late 20s) off the vehicle in an effort to abduct him. Samad resisted the attempt which thereby led to indiscriminate firing by the accused on the vehicle killing all the four occupants on the spot. The accused – who were carrying automatic gun AK47 and 9MM pistol – shot the victims in their heads.

The bodies were sent to the Combined Military Hospital where they were handed over to their legal heirs after completion of formalities. They were later moved to Nichari Imambargah. The burial ceremony will be held in the Hazara graveyard on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Balochistan Shia Conference has announced three days mourning against the incident.

Haji Ali Akbar was a local merchant who owned the Al-Abbas Provision Store. He is the brother of Haji Ali Ahmed who also runs his business in the same capacity. Coincidentally, Haji Ali Ahmed had been kidnapped some months ago and was only released after payment of a handsome amount as ransom.

The Hazaras have been suffering decade-long brutalities of target killings, suicide and terrorist attacks which have taken another twist in the form of abduction/kidnappings for ransom and extortion of money on various pretexts. The perpetrators have extended their crime syndicate in Quetta and its suburb greatly disturbing the general public, but the Hazaras have suffered the most.

About a month ago, a local trader known as Mohammad Ali was found dead in a suburb of Quetta where he had been abducted for ransom months earlier. Although the victim’s family managed to pay Rs. 2.8 million, the kidnappers did not adhere to their word and killed the innocent businessman after receiving the money.

The Provincial Government, under the leadership of Nawab Aslam Raisani has never taken any preventive measures to minimize the loss of human lives and recurrence of these incidents. They have merely restricted their official and constitutional responsibilities to press statements while the government functionaries including the senior law enforcement personnel have never chalked out pragmatic plans to weed out the perpetrators.