Rafiullah Mandokhel
ZHOB
At least five people, including two police personnel and three college students, sustained bullet injuries in an ‘accidental firing’ on Friday noon at the residence of Governor Balochistan, Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhel, here in Zhob – his native town.
District Police Officer Zhob Shaukat Momand confirmed that the incident took place at the governor’s private residence, Janan house near the Central jail in Zhob.
The gunfire was triggered by the unintentional discharge of a state-issued AK-74 rifle handled by a police constable on duty.
“The police gunman mishandled his weapon, which went off in burst mode, injuring five people,” police officer Momand said, adding that all victims were out of danger.
Station House Officer Muhammad Ayoub Mandokhel said that the policeman was attempting to clear a jammed cartridge when his finger inadvertently pressed the trigger.
“The rifle was set on burst mode, and within a short time multiple rounds were fired. It was sheer luck the weapon was pointed toward the ground, otherwise the outcome could have been catastrophic,” he added.
The injured were identified as police constable Rozi Khan, havaldar Habib-ur-Rehman, and students Sadiq Shah, Zulqarnain, and Muhammad Ayaz. All were rushed to the Trauma Centre at civil hospital Zhob, while Muhammad Ayaz, who sustained critical injuries, was later moved to the Combined Military Hospital for further treatment. According to hospital officials, most of the victims suffered gunshot wounds to their limbs; two of them were subsequently referred to Quetta for surgical extraction of bullets.
“Soon after we finished meeting the governor and were leaving the governor’s residence, sudden gunfire erupted. Everyone panicked; the people ran in all directions,” recalled a student, who was present at the scene.
“At the time of the mishap, a delegation of dozens of students from Government Degree College Zhob had gathered at the governor’s residence for a scheduled meeting. The sudden volley of gunfire sent shockwaves through the crowd, sparking panic and even a stampede,” he added. Meanwhile, the students gathered at the hospital have criticized the authorities for ‘negligence’, alleging that although an ambulance was parked at the residence, but it was not utilized to transport the injured.
“We had to shift the wounded in a police vehicle,” they lamented.
Police officials have confirmed that Governor Balochistan Jaffar Khan Mandokhel remained safe inside his residence at the time of the incident. The constable responsible for the misfire has been taken into custody for interrogation, and an inquiry has also been initiated. The governor arrived in the town on September 24 for a visit.
