Quetta( The COW News Digital)In a tragic and chilling incident, nine innocent passengers were brutally shot dead by militants on the national highway between Loralai and Musakhel in Balochistan. The attack occurred at the Srah Dakeen area, where buses en route to Punjab were intercepted by armed assailants.
According to the spokesperson for the Balochistan government, Shahid Rind, the attackers forced passengers off the buses after checking their national identity cards. Those identified as Punjabi were lined up and executed on the roadside.
Two brothers, Usman and Jabir, were among the victims. Their family confirmed they were returning to Punjab for their father’s funeral. Their surviving brother, Sabir, posted a heart-wrenching message on social media, revealing their tragic journey.
The Balochistan government has strongly condemned the incident, labeling it an act of terrorism sponsored by hostile foreign elements, notably “Fitna-e-Hindustan,” a reference to alleged Indian-backed extremist groups.
Security forces responded swiftly, launching a full-scale operation to pursue the terrorists, who fled under the cover of darkness. Similar coordinated attacks also took place in Kalat and Mastung districts the same night, all of which were met with immediate retaliation by security forces.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti condemned the attack, calling it a “cowardly and unforgivable crime against humanity” and vowed that the blood of innocent Pakistanis will not go in vain. “Balochistan will become a graveyard for enemies of peace,” he stated.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also condemned the brutal killings, assuring the nation that the perpetrators will be hunted down and held accountable. “This attack is a blatant attempt to disrupt peace and unity in Pakistan,” he said, vowing a decisive and harsh response.
Arrangements are being made to transfer the victims’ bodies to Punjab. According to D.G. Khan Commissioner Ashfaq Ahmed, ambulances were dispatched on the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
The Balochistan administration is continuing a large-scale search and clearance operation in the affected areas to bring the culprits to justice. Officials reiterated that these acts of terror will not deter the resolve of the people or the state’s commitment to peace and national unity.
