QUETTA — Three media personnel were gunned down in Kabir Building area of Quetta on Thursday evening.

According to media reports, two unidentified gunmen stormed the office of a news agency in Kabir Building, Quetta.

Unidentified armed militants barged into the news agency’s office and gunned down Bureau Chief Irshad Mastoi. Mastoi’s reporter Ghullam Rasool and accountant Muhammad Younas were also killed by armed militants.

The assailants fled the crime scene without any problem. The victims were shifted to Sandemen Provincial Hospital, Quetta.

Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ) has condemned the brutal murder of Irshad Mastoi along with two of his colleagues.

“All victims received multiple bullets,” Razaq Cheema, the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) of Quetta said. Despite crowd and high security, the assailants managed to escape unhurt. Police and Frontier Corps personnel reached the office and started an initial investigation into the incident.

A large number of journalists reached the hospital and chanted slogans against the cold-blooded murder of journalists.

The BUJ strongly condemned the incident and termed it an attack at freedom of expression. Irfan Saeed, the BUJ president announced a three-day mourning to bewail the killings.

It must be noted that Balochistan is one of the most dangerous places for journalists in the world. Around 36 journalists have been assassinated in last four years.

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Mir Behram Baloch is a journalist covering government and social issues in Balochistan. Read other articles by Mir.