Khuzdar Press Club President Maulana Siddique Mengal and two others were killed and nine people were injured in a blast on Friday, said rescue officials.

The other two deceased were identified as Muhammad Karim and Muhammad Waris. Reports say that the two young men were brothers and cousins of the renowned religious scholar, Allama Hafiz Abdul Rashid Sasoli.

The attack occurred as Mengal was leaving his home to lead Friday prayers at the Khuzdar Engineering University mosque. As his vehicle turned onto Agha Sultan Ibrahim Road, a link road connected to the N-25 highway, it was targeted with a bomb.

The incident occurred when the world celebrated the World Press Freedom Day. CCTV footage showed an unidentified man throwing a parcel into the car where Mengal was travelling.

The explosion destroyed Mengal’s car, killing him instantly. Nine others were injured in the blast and have been transported to a local hospital. Security forces have cordoned off the area and initiated an investigation.

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This was not the first attempt on Mengal’s life. He had survived a previous assassination attempt in 2023.

Mengal was the third president of the Khuzdar Press Club to be assassinated. Since 2009, a total of 10 members of the press club have been killed, highlighting the grave dangers faced by journalists in the region.