A 22-year-old Baloch youth, identified as Mudassir Sumalani, was reportedly killed on Tuesday after customs personnel allegedly threw a nail chain on his vehicle, causing it to overturn on the Noshki National Highway (RCD). The incident also left another passenger critically injured. Sumalani, the only brother of six sisters and the sole breadwinner of his family, succumbed to his injuries on the spot.
Eyewitnesses claim that customs officials fled the scene immediately after the crash, leaving the victims behind without medical assistance. No justification has been provided by the authorities, and there are widespread fears that no one will be held accountable for the young man’s death.
Enraged over the incident, survivors and local protesters blocked the national highway, carrying Sumalani’s body in protest. Two customs vehicles were torched as demonstrators chanted slogans against the authorities. The blockade caused long traffic jams, leaving travelers stranded for several hours.
Senior officials, including Deputy Commissioner Amjad Hussain Soomro, SP Mohammad Hashim Mohmand, and Lieutenant Colonel Qaiser, arrived at the scene to negotiate with the protesters. Community leaders Rahman Mengal, Nazir Baloch, Mufti Fida-ur-Rehman Rukhshani, and Amir Mohammad Hosni joined in solidarity.
After more than eight hours, the authorities reached an agreement with the demonstrators, leading to the reopening of the highway. However, anger and grief remain high in the region, with locals demanding justice and accountability for Sumalani’s death.
The incident has once again raised concerns over the brutality of security forces in Balochistan and their unchecked actions, which continue to claim innocent lives.