Pakistan: Journalist Shot Dead in Balochistan’s Musakhail

June 9, 2026

Quetta: A journalist was shot dead by unidentified assailants in the Musakhail area of Pakistan’s Balochistan province, local media reported citing the police authorities.

Lala Israfeel, who was working as a reporter for a private TV channel, was outside his shop in Musakhail when unidentified assailants on a motorcycle opened fire on him, killing him on the spot, police said, Pakistan’s daily Dawn reported.

The motive behind the attack is not clear. Police said Israfeel had reported no recent threats. No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Journalists’ Union Seeks Immediate Action

Condemning the incident, the Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ) stated that the killing of the journalist has raised “serious concern and distress within the journalistic community,” leading Pakistani daily Dawn reported.

In a joint statement, BUJ President Manzoor Ahmed Rind and General Secretary Shah Hussain Tareen urged Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and Provincial Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove to take immediate action on the matter. They demanded a probe from all angles, determination of the motives behind the attack, and swift justice for those responsible.

Security Situation Worsens in Pakistan

Last week, the monthly security assessment released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) revealed that the security situation in Pakistan deteriorated in May, particularly due to an increase in terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

The latest findings by PICSS showed a rise in terror attacks during May after a brief period of relative decline. The sharp increase in attacks, casualties, suicide bombings and kidnappings suggested that security challenges remain severe.

Balochistan Emerges as Most Affected Province

As many as 128 terrorist attacks occurred in May compared to 101 attacks in April, marking a 27 percent increase. A total of 71 civilians, 68 security personnel and six members of peace committees were killed, while 147 civilians, 35 security personnel and three peace committee members were injured in terrorist violence during the month.

Compared to April, civilian casualties rose from 37 to 71, while security personnel fatalities increased from 28 to 68. Pakistan also witnessed six suicide attacks in May, resulting in the deaths of 34 security personnel and nine civilians, according to Dawn.

Balochistan was the most affected province in May, recording 71 terrorist attacks compared to 34 in April, reflecting a 109 per cent increase. Of the 54 kidnappings reported across Pakistan during the month, 52 occurred in Balochistan alone.