Terror attack on police post prompts suspension of Ziarat SP, inquiry launched
On Tuesday, a terrorist assault on the Mangi Dam police post claimed the lives of nine police officials, including two SHOs. Security forces later carried out a follow-up clearance operation, during which 15 suspected militants were killed.
Speaking to Dawn, Balochistan Chief Minister's Adviser on Media and Political Affairs Shahid Rind confirmed that the provincial government had removed the Ziarat SP from his post and issued a formal suspension order.
Meanwhile, the provincial administration has constituted a four-member fact-finding committee to investigate the attack and its aftermath.
Under an official notification issued on July 7, the committee has been instructed to establish a detailed timeline of the events leading up to the attack, the response during the incident and the actions taken afterward.
The panel will assess the performance of the security and law enforcement agencies, reviewing their operational readiness, deployment, coordination, command structure and emergency response
It will also examine whether any official shortcomings, including negligence, operational failures, weak coordination, dereliction of duty or lapses in leadership contributed to the incident.
Another key part of the inquiry will be to determine whether the existing security measures and standard operating procedures (SOPs) at the police post were adequate and properly enforced.
If the investigation identifies any individual or institution responsible, the committee has been directed to recommend disciplinary, administrative or legal proceedings in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
The panel will further propose immediate and long-term steps to improve security at Mangi Dam and other critical facilities throughout Balochistan.
It has also been authorized to recommend broader policy and operational reforms aimed at reducing the risk of similar attacks in the future, with a final report due within 15 days.
To facilitate its work, the committee has been granted powers to obtain official documents, summon government officials, question witnesses, inspect the attack site and seek technical assistance where required.
Following the attack, Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti chaired a high-level security review meeting on the law-and-order situation in Ziarat.
He also visited the injured officers, met the families of those martyred and reaffirmed the government's support for the security forces.
The chief minister instructed authorities to continue operations against militants and their facilitators until the threat is eliminated, stressing that anti-state groups must not be allowed to reorganize.
He also called for closer coordination among law enforcement agencies to strengthen counterterrorism efforts.
