KARACHI: The Pakistani government on Friday condemned the killing of a senior administration official in a gun attack in the volatile southwestern Balochistan province, with top officials attributing the assault to what they described as 鈥淔itna Al-Hind鈥� 鈥� or Indian-sponsored proxies 鈥� fueling unrest in the region.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Hidayatullah Buledi was shot dead by armed militants in the Sorab area as he reportedly intervened to protect civilians, including women and children, during an armed assault in a local market.

In a post on social media platform X, the province鈥檚 chief minister, Sardar Sarfraz Bugti, said the attack was carried out by militants affiliated with the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group banned in Pakistan, which he said was backed by the neighboring Indian state.

鈥淒espite holding the office of ADC Revenue, when terrorists of Fitna Al-Hind BLA opened fire on women and children in Sorab today, Hidayatullah Buledi honored the traditions of Baloch valor and sacrificed his life in defense of the Pakistani state,鈥� he said in the post while praying for the deceased officer and his family.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also issued a statement, condemning the 鈥渃owardly attack鈥� on a local bank, civilians and public officials in Sorab and paying tribute to Buledi for defending his community.

鈥淭he entire nation stands with the family of Shaheed [martyr] Hidayatullah Buledi,鈥� he said, vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice.

鈥淭heir attack reflects a mindset that is openly hostile to Pakistan鈥檚 progress and stability in Balochistan,鈥� he added.

The prime minister also praised the efforts of the Pakistani armed forces and reiterated the government鈥檚 commitment to eradicating militant violence from the country.

Pakistan鈥檚 army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, who was in Quetta during the day to address officers at the Command and Staff College, also promised to take Pakistan鈥檚 war against militancy to its 鈥渓ogical conclusion.鈥�

鈥淭he nation鈥檚 fight against terrorism will be driven to a logical conclusion 鈥� success against all forms and manifestations of terrorism,鈥� the military鈥檚 media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations, quoted him as saying in a statement.

Balochistan, Pakistan鈥檚 largest but least developed province, has long been the site of a separatist insurgency, with militants blaming the state for exploiting the mineral resources of the region without doing much for the local population.

The government has repeatedly denied the allegation, pointing to the infrastructure and livelihood projects it has been carrying out in the area for years.

Pakistan has also frequently accused India of funding and arming militant groups, a charge New Delhi denies.