Judge Abdul Hakeem Kakar, security guard killed in Mastung terror attack

QUETTA: District and Sessions Judge Abdul Hakeem Kakar and his security guard were killed in a gun attack in Mastung on Thursday, while Additional Sessions Judge Tariq Lashari and another judicial official were injured after unidentified armed men targeted their vehicles, officials said.

Judge Kakar and Judge Lashari were travelling from Quetta to Mastung when armed attackers opened fire on their vehicles at Wali Khan crossing, according to Balochistan Home Department aide Babar Yousafzai.

Yousafzai said Judge Kakar and his guard were killed on the spot, while the injured, including Judge Lashari, were shifted to a hospital in Mastung for medical treatment.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti took notice of the incident and directed authorities to investigate all aspects of the attack. His aide for political affairs, Shahid Rind, said strict action would be taken if any negligence was found.

Rind said the attack was aimed at creating fear among members of the judiciary, adding that terrorists wanted to send a message that judicial decisions could be met with violence. He stressed the need for a strong response against terrorism.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi expressed profound grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of Judge Abdul Hakeem Kakar and his security guard.

In a statement issued on behalf of Pakistan’s judiciary, the Chief Justice extended condolences to the bereaved families and said the entire judiciary stood with them during this irreparable loss.

He prayed for the elevation of the ranks of the martyrs and for patience and strength for their families. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of Additional Sessions Judge Tariq Lashari and the injured judicial officer.

As a mark of respect for the victims and in solidarity with the district judiciary of Balochistan, the Judicial Wellbeing Conference scheduled for July 25, 2026, has been postponed.

Justice Yahya Afridi reaffirmed that the judiciary would continue to perform its constitutional responsibilities without fear or intimidation, saying acts of violence could not weaken its commitment to the rule of law and judicial independence.

President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the attack and expressed grief over the deaths of the judge and his security guard.

He said the sacrifices of the martyrs would not go in vain and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured. The president added that anti-state elements would not succeed in their objectives and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to eliminating terrorism.

صدرِ مملکت آصف علی زرداری کی مستونگ کے قریب سیشن جج عبدالحکیم کاکڑ اور جوڈیشل مجسٹریٹ طارق لاشاری پر فائرنگ کی شدید مذمت۔

صدرِ مملکت کا سیشن جج عبدالحکیم کاکڑ اور ان کے گن مین کی شہادت پر گہرے رنج و غم کا اظہار۔

صدرِ مملکت کا شہداء کے درجات کی بلندی اور سوگوار خاندانوں کے لیے…

— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) July 23, 2026

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also condemned the attack, extending condolences to the families of the victims.

He said such cowardly acts could not weaken the nation’s resolve and assured that the government stood with the families of the martyrs.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also denounced the killing, saying those responsible would soon be brought to justice. He added that the PPP and the judiciary stood with the people of Balochistan and security forces fighting terrorism.

The attack came a day after three people were killed and five others injured in a gun attack on a passenger bus travelling towards Karachi, while a bridge on the national highway was damaged in Mastung’s Khud Kocha area.

پی پی پی چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری کی مستونگ میں دہشت گرد حملے کی شدید مذمت

چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری کا دہشتگرد حملے میں ڈسٹرکٹ اینڈ سیشن جج عبدالحکیم کاکڑ اور ان کے سیکیورٹی گارڈ کی شہادت پر اظہار افسوس

چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری کا شہداء کے اہلِ خانہ سے دلی تعزیت اور…

— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) July 23, 2026

Following the incidents, authorities imposed an indefinite curfew in the Khud Kocha sub-tehsil.

The latest attack also follows security operations in Mastung and other areas of Balochistan, where several militants were killed and others were apprehended, according to security officials.

Security concerns have increased across the province following a series of militant attacks, leading to intensified counterterrorism operations.

According to security sources cited by state media, Operation Shaban resulted in the killing of 91 terrorists between July 5 and July 16, bringing the total number of militants eliminated in operations across Balochistan since July 5 to 129.

The government and security institutions have reiterated their commitment to continue operations against militant groups and restore peace in the province.