SSP killed with his family in targeted attack in Pak

A senior Pakistani police officer and his three family members were today killed by four unidentified, motorcycle-borne militants in the country's Balochistan province, officials said, in the latest targeted attack on security forces in the restive region.

Militants attacked the vehicle of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Muhammad Illyas who was on his way to market, killing the officer, his wife, son and five-year-old granddaughter.

The targeted killing took place when the Illyas was going to the market with his family and his vehicle was attacked by four gunmen on motorcycles in the Nawa Kili area of Quetta, officials said.
 

"The SSP, his wife, son and a five-year grandchild have been killed in the attack while his daughter-in-law and an infant have been wounded," a government official said.

The targeted killing of Illyas is the second deadly terrorist attack on a senior police official in Quetta in a week's time.

A suspected suicide bomber killed Additional Inspector General Telecommunications Hamid Shakeel and three other police officers in a targeted attack in Quetta on November 9.

According to another police official, SSP Illyas was going with his entire family to the market when the attack took place with the gunmen on motorcycles surrounding his vehicle and opening fire from two sides.

"His wife, son, and grandchild were killed instantly while SSP Illyas also died on the spot. His daughter-in-law and an infant have been critically wounded," he said.

Balochistan has been rocked by a series of attacks which raised concerns about a growing militant presence, including those affiliated with Islamic State, which has claimed several bombings in the restive province.

The unrest has raised security concerns for projects in the USD 50 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor, a transport and energy link from western China to Pakistan's southern Gwadar port.

At least six police commandos and a civilian were killed last month when an explosives-laden vehicle rammed into a security force's convoy on the Quetta-Sibi Highway.

In August this year, a massive suicide explosion, targeting Pakistan Army personnel in Quetta, left 15 people dead including seven civilians and injured at least 20 people.

In June this year, 14 people, including seven policemen, were killed and 21 others were injured in a suicide car bombing on Gulistan Road in Balochistan.