Balochistan security agencies arrest three in Kharan SHO killing case, revealing Afghan training links during investigation.
Security forces have arrested three terrorists involved in the killing of Kharan City Station House Officer (SHO) Muhammad Qasim, officials said, revealing that one of the suspects admitted to receiving terrorist training in Afghanistan during interrogation.
Law enforcement agencies have arrested three suspects in connection with the killing of Kharan City Station House Officer (SHO) Muhammad Qasim, officials said on Sunday, adding that one of the arrested men admitted to receiving militant training in Afghanistan.
The arrests were made during a successful intelligence-based operation in Kharan, according to officials. The developments were shared during a joint press conference by the Additional Chief Secretary Home Balochistan and the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), where a recorded confession of one suspect was also played.
Authorities said the suspects were involved in multiple militant activities and claimed that armed groups have recently expanded their attacks to include civilians. Officials cited the abduction of children during a picnic in Pir Ghaib and the killing of an Assistant Commissioner belonging to a Baloch family as part of the group’s alleged activities.
DIG CTD said SHO City Kharan Muhammad Qasim was martyred in October, and the three arrested suspects were directly linked to his killing. He stated that the suspects belong to what officials described as “Fitna-e-Hindustan,” alleging that the group receives external facilitation.
According to officials, the brother of one of the arrested suspects, identified as Jahangir, was involved in the attack on the Frontier Corps (FC) Headquarters in Nokkundi. They added that several accomplices remain at large and operations are ongoing to arrest them.
Officials further claimed that some militant camps include Afghan nationals and said that the trail of the FC Headquarters attack also leads to Afghanistan. During interrogation, one of the arrested suspects admitted that he had traveled to Afghanistan for training before returning to Balochistan.
The DIG CTD said the suspects had planned to kidnap a police officer and subject him to torture. He added that two Kalashnikov rifles carried by militants during the attack on the DIG Complex have also been recovered.
During the press conference, a recorded confession of one suspect was played, in which he said the group was instructed to kidnap SHO Muhammad Qasim. He stated that they conducted surveillance on the officer prior to the attack and opened fire when the SHO resisted the kidnapping attempt.
Officials also noted that on August 11, the United States designated the Baloch Liberation Organization (BLO) and the Majeed Brigade as terrorist organizations. They added that a Red Notice Cell has been established under the supervision of the Chief Minister of Balochistan to pursue suspects based abroad through coordination with Interpol.
The incident occurred on October 17, when SHO Kharan City Muhammad Qasim was checking vehicles at a checkpoint on Quetta Road near the hospital. Armed men riding a motorcycle opened fire on him, martyring the SHO on the spot. Other police personnel present at the scene remained unharmed, while the attackers fled after the shooting.
