The family of Karachi trader Ali Murtaza Jameel, shot dead by militants in Balochistan’s Dasht area, has described the incident as the greatest tragedy of their lives and demanded justice, as the trader community called for the site of the attack to be named after him.

Speaking to the media, Ali Murtaza’s father said the loss was irreparable and expressed hope that no other family would suffer a similar fate. He said his son had been advised not to travel to Quetta.

The victim’s widow said that after the attack, no help arrived for several hours. Ali Murtaza was struck by five bullets and died at the scene.

The incident occurred on Friday night when the Karachi family, residents of Nazimabad, was travelling to Quetta in a private vehicle.

After losing their route while following Google Maps, they entered the Khand area of Dasht.

Unknown gunmen opened fire on their vehicle, killing Ali Murtaza on the spot and critically wounding his wife. Their two children survived the attack unharmed. The body and the injured woman were later shifted to Karachi.

Sindh government spokesman Sukhdev conveyed condolences to the family on behalf of the provincial government.

“The Sindh government stands with the affected family in this hour of grief,” he said, adding that the family’s concerns would be conveyed to the Balochistan government and every possible support extended to meet their legitimate demands.

The trader community also demanded that the state assume financial responsibility for the upbringing of the victim’s children, in addition to naming the site of the attack after Ali Murtaza Jameel.