A postgraduate female doctor was critically injured when an assailant threw acid on her while she was on duty in the surgical ward of Civil Sandeman Hospital, Balochistan’s largest public health facility. The suspect fled the scene but was later killed in a shootout with police, authorities said.
According to police, the attack happened while the doctor was on duty at the province’s largest government-run health center. The suspect threw acid on the doctor and fled the scene.
The injured doctor was identified as Dr. Mahnoor, a postgraduate trainee. She received initial medical treatment before being taken to a private hospital where doctors said approximately 35% of her face and body had suffered burns.
Read: Suspected acid attacker killed
Police said CCTV footage of the incident had emerged showing the alleged attacker fleeing after carrying out the assault.
Following the attack, law enforcement agencies launched search and intelligence-based operations across the city to track down the suspect.
According to police, the alleged suspect was later killed in a shootout with policemen near the Nushki bus stand.
Authorities said an attempt was made to arrest the suspect, but he reportedly resisted, resulting in the encounter.
Meanwhile, Balochistan Chief Minister Sardar Sarfaraz Bugti took notice of the incident and sought a detailed report from the relevant authorities.
According to the chief minister’s spokesman and adviser, Shahid Rind, Dr. Mahnoor taken to Karachi through a special air ambulance to ensure access to advanced medical treatment.
“Arrangements were made to provide the injured doctor with the best available medical facilities and she has been transferred to Karachi for further treatment,” he said.
The incident sparked a strong reaction from the Young Doctors Association (YDA), which described the attack as a serious security breach.
The association claimed that the suspect worked as a private lift operator at the hospital and alleged that the attack was carried out with the intention of killing the doctor.
YDA leaders demanded an immediate transfer of the health secretary and the medical superintendent of the Civil Hospital and called for a transparent judicial inquiry into the incident.
The association criticized the government for what it described as inadequate security measures at public hospitals and announced a strike in response to the incident.
“This attack reflects a complete failure of security arrangements in hospitals,” the association said, calling on authorities to resolve responsibility and ensure accountability.
YDA representatives said repeated concerns about the protection of medical staff had not been addressed and called for stronger security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The YDA warned that if its demands were not met, doctors across Balochistan would suspend services in government hospitals, except for emergency care.
“Medical services across the province’s public hospitals will be suspended, except for emergency services, if concrete measures are not taken,” the association said.
The acid attack has renewed concerns about workplace safety for health workers in Balochistan, with doctors calling for immediate action to ensure protection and justice.
