Quetta Doctor Acid Attack Suspect Killed in Police Encounter

A violent acid attack inside Quetta’s Civil Hospital has triggered nationwide concern after a woman doctor, identified in reports as Dr Mah Noor Nasir, suffered serious injuries on Saturday evening. Police said the suspect accused of carrying out the assault was later killed in an encounter while allegedly trying to flee the city.

According to initial police and hospital accounts, the incident took place within the hospital premises, where the victim was targeted by a hospital lift operator. The attack caused alarm among medical staff and patients, turning one of Balochistan’s key public healthcare facilities into the centre of an urgent criminal investigation.

The injured doctor was first moved for emergency care and later shifted to Karachi by air ambulance for specialised treatment. Officials said the provincial government would support her medical care, while doctors’ representatives raised serious concerns about security arrangements for healthcare workers, particularly women serving in public hospitals.

Police said the suspect fled after the attack and moved towards the Sariab Road bus terminal. A police team attempted to stop him, but authorities claimed he opened fire instead of surrendering. Officers returned fire, killing him during the exchange, while a pistol and ammunition were reportedly recovered from his possession.

Balochistan Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar condemned the assault and described violence against a woman doctor as unacceptable. Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti also took notice of the case and directed officials to ensure the best possible treatment for the victim, while seeking updates from the relevant authorities.

The Young Doctors Association reacted strongly to the attack, with protests disrupting routine official activity in Quetta. Medical bodies said the incident exposed the risks faced by doctors and hospital staff, demanding stronger security measures, proper screening inside medical facilities and accountability for lapses that allow violence to occur in professional spaces.

Acid attacks remain among the most traumatic forms of violence in Pakistan, often leaving survivors with long-term physical, psychological and social consequences. Rights advocates have repeatedly called for strict enforcement of laws, faster prosecution and survivor-focused rehabilitation, especially in cases involving women targeted in workplaces or domestic settings.

The case has also renewed debate about safety in Balochistan’s public hospitals, where doctors frequently work under pressure from overcrowding, limited resources and security threats. For patients, any disruption in hospital services can further weaken access to care in a province already facing major healthcare challenges.

Investigators are expected to examine the motive behind the attack, the suspect’s access to the victim and whether hospital security protocols were followed. The immediate focus remains on the doctor’s recovery, but the wider public pressure is now on authorities to ensure hospitals remain safe spaces for both patients and medical professionals.

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