The Balochistan government has suspended the Ziarat superintendent of police (SP) following a terrorist attack on a police post that left at least nine police officials dead.
A day earlier, terrorists attacked the post, triggering a standoff that resulted in the deaths of at least nine police officials, including two station house officers. Security forces, in a subsequent clearance operation, killed 15 terrorists.
Apart from the suspension, the provincial government has also formed a four-member inquiry committee to probe the incident, directing it to establish the timeline of events “leading to, during and after the terrorist attack.” The committee has also been directed to evaluate the deployment, preparedness, response, command, control and coordination of all relevant law enforcement and security agencies, as well as identify any “negligence, dereliction of duty, operational lapse, failure of command and control, lack of coordination or cowardice” by law enforcers.
Additionally, the committee would “recommend immediate, medium-term and long-term measures for strengthening the security of Mangi Dam and other critical infrastructure across the province.”
The committee has been empowered to summon any record, officer or official; examine witnesses; inspect the site; obtain expert opinion; and coopt any technical experts it might require. The investigators have been directed to submit a report within 15 days.