Former Afghan commander Haji Hazrat Ullah killed in Quetta

Haji Hazrat Ullah, also known as Rorad Achakzai, a prominent former Afghan security official and anti-Taliban commander, was shot dead in Quetta, Pakistan, on Sunday. Achakzai, a militia leader of the Achakzai Pashtun tribe, had migrated to Pakistan in 2021 following the Taliban takeover.

According to local police, armed men on motorcycles opened fire on Achakzai while he was walking near his home in the Killi Raisani area, killing him instantly. Achakzai was known for leading anti-Taliban tribal movements in Southern Afghanistan, specifically around the Kandahar province and the Spin Boldak border regions.

Authorities are currently investigating the motive behind the assassination, considering whether it was due to old enmities or his past activities in Kandahar. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

In a separate incident near Quetta, two labourers were killed and three others injured when an improvised explosive device (IED) targeted a vehicle they were traveling in. Security forces have launched search operations regarding the roadside blast.