Residents and tribesmen of Hanna Urak, a suburban area on the outskirts of Quetta, staged a protest on Monday against the deteriorating law and order situation, blocking the main highway and disrupting traffic, leaving commuters and passengers stranded.
The demonstration followed an armed attack on Killi Babri on Sunday night, which protesters alleged was carried out by militants belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). According to the protesters, an intermittent exchange of fire between local residents and the armed assailants continued for several hours, creating fear and panic across the area.
They said the attackers later escaped into the surrounding mountainous terrain, while uncertainty over the security situation persisted.
The protesters said they had launched a peaceful demonstration to draw the authorities’ attention to the worsening security conditions in Hanna Urak and adjoining localities. They added that the highway blockade was intended to press the government into taking immediate notice of the situation.
They urged the authorities to launch a swift and effective operation against the armed elements and ensure comprehensive security for local residents to restore peace and normalcy in the area.