Pakistani minister in Balochistan province escapes armed attack on convoy

Balochistan home minister Mir Ziaullah Langove escaped unharmed after armed attackers targeted his convoy in Mastung district on Friday, injuring six people, including three police personnel.The attack took place in the Khad Kocha area as Langove was travelling from Quetta to Kalat, Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind said."Six people were injured in the attack, but the minister remained unhurt and the convoy has returned to Quetta," Rind said.All six injured people suffered bullet wounds, according to a senior police official. Three of them were police personnel, with two reportedly in serious condition.

They were taken to a hospital in Quetta for treatment.The attack has raised fresh security concerns in Khad Kocha, an area that has repeatedly come under attack in recent weeks.According to officials, this was the fourth attack on travellers along the same highway since last month. Insurgents have repeatedly targeted people travelling through the area despite a major security operation carried out following the earlier incidents.

Security forces have now sealed off the area and launched a search operation to locate those responsible for the latest attack.The incident adds to the continuing security challenges in Balochistan, where armed insurgent groups have carried out attacks against security forces and civilians.