Quetta: On June 6, a local journalist, Lala Israfeel, was fatally shot in a drive-by incident in the Musakhail area of Balochistan, according to the police. Israfeel, who worked for Public News, was targeted by gunmen on a motorcycle outside his shop in the town of Musakhail, resulting in his death at the scene. 

Officials at a local hospital where his body was shifted confirmed that Israfeel sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Following necessary legal procedures, authorities handed his body over to his grieving family and registered for a murder case. 

The Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ), in a joint statement, strongly condemned the killing and demanded an investigation into the incident. President Rind, General Secretary Shah Hussain Tareen, and other members of the cabinet expressed profound grief and  urged Balochistan’s Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove to ensure that the investigation considers all potential motives and leads to the swift apprehension and prosecution of those responsible. 

The reasons behind the attack remain uncertain; police indicated that Israfeel had not reported any recent threats. No group has claimed responsibility for this violent act. Speaking to PPF, BUJ President Rind stated that the incident stemmed from a personal dispute as Israfeel’s family had nominated the accused in the First Information Report (FIR).