Four persons belonging to Hazara Tribe were gunned down and instantly killed by the armed terrorists near Mastung the other day. The fifth one, a resident of Sindh, had sustained bullet injuries in the attack and taken to hospital in critical condition.

It was the fourth terrorist killing of innocent people in Quetta and its neighbourhood for the past six weeks. Three of the incidents were related to sectarian killing while the fourth one is target killing on political basis.

A leading politician was targeted and gunned down. Political opponents of the Government are staging rallies and protest demonstrations in all parts of Balochistan condemning the murder of innocent political activist in broad daylight in this provincial capital.

The four people killed near Mastung and at Chutu, an outskirt, by armed terrorists who opened fire on them from both sides of the car. When the car reach near the speed breaker and it slowed down significantly, the terrorists burst open fire from close range killing all the four victims belonging to the Hazara tribes or being Shia in faith.

Police sources confirmed that it was sectarian terrorism which is confined to Hazara tribe of Balochistan only.

The sectarian killing of Hazara tribesmen started some three decades ago following sharp differences with the clerical Government in Iran or the late spiritual leader allegedly tried to export Islamic revolution to Pakistan and other neighbouring countries, some observers claimed.

There is no let up in the killing to this date. Brother and sister on motorcycle were targeted and killed on the spot on the Spiny Road of Quetta. Five other persons belonging to Hazara tribes were shot and injured. All the four incidents of target killings were reported in less than six weeks.

The irony of fate is that the Government and its institutions were found least interested in properly investigating the target killing of human beings—all innocent and law abiding citizens of Pakistan. To this date, more than 2000 people were killed on sectarian basis in the past three decades.

Not a single criminal and target killer was brought to justice to this date. Some of them were killed and their identities were disclosed only after they were gunned down in encounter or raid at their hideouts. It shows the interest of the Government of the day and its institutions responsible for securing the life and property of all the citizens of Pakistan without any discrimination.

On the contrary, there were few highly responsible police officers who made sincere efforts on their own and chased the terrorists in Quetta and its surrounding.

They did their best as part of their official and national duty. Most of them were killed for making their chase very hot and they were closed to bust those gangs of target killers particularly involved in sectarian killing.

Residence located in maximum security zone of the senior most police officers was attacked using car bomb in a bid to kill him and his entire family. He was reportedly close to a case of target killing and act of terrorism and about to bust the gang when he was attacked.

It is more shocking that the senior police officer was discriminated by his superior, mainly the police chief, denying him an alternate and a safer house within the police residential complex showing deep contempt to his competency and honest service to the people and the country.

Pakistan is targeted by the neigbouring countries, including Iran, of massive propaganda campaign that the Government had failed to curb the incident of sectarian killing, mainly the people belonging to Hazara tribesmen in Quetta and its surrounds.

The Government and its institutions should take more interest in curbing the activities of the sectarian terrorists and give importance to the life and property of Hazara Tribes and consider all of them as peace-loving and patriotic citizens of Pakistan.