Nine Punjab Passengers Killed After Being Pulled Off Buses in Balochistan; Insurgents Launch Night of Attacks Across Province

 Nine Punjab Passengers Killed After Being Pulled Off Buses in Balochistan; Insurgents Launch Night of Attacks Across Province

In a horrifying act of violence, nine passengers traveling through Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province were pulled off buses and executed by armed insurgents late Thursday night. The tragic incident took place in the Sur-Dakai area of Zhob district along a national highway, officials confirmed on Friday.

According to Assistant Commissioner of Zhob, Naveed Alam, the attack targeted two passenger buses en route to Punjab province. The assailants stopped the vehicles, checked passengers’ identity cards, and selectively offloaded nine individuals — all of whom were later found shot dead.

“These people were traveling peacefully, and they were killed just because of their identity,” said Mr. Alam, adding that all nine victims hailed from various parts of Punjab. “The bodies have been recovered and taken to a local hospital for post-mortem examination before being handed over to their families for burial.”

The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), a banned separatist group known for its frequent attacks on government forces, has claimed responsibility for the killings. The gruesome nature of the attack has sparked national outrage and condemnation from both provincial and federal leaders.

Balochistan’s Chief Minister, Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, condemned the massacre in the strongest terms, calling it an “unforgivable crime.” He didn’t mince words when speaking about the perpetrators. “These terrorists have shown they are not human. They are cowards who target the innocent. Their barbarity has no place in our society,” Bugti stated. “We promise the nation that the blood of these innocents will not go in vain. The state will go to any length to track these murderers down — even if they try to hide underground.”

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also issued a statement strongly denouncing the incident. “This was an act of sheer brutality. Targeting innocent travelers in such a manner reflects the worst kind of barbarism,” he said.

Following the attack, the highway where the incident occurred was temporarily closed off as security forces launched a massive manhunt for the attackers. Search operations are underway across the district, with checkpoints and patrols intensified in surrounding areas.

Tragically, this is not the first time civilians, especially from Punjab, have been singled out and targeted in Balochistan. In recent years, there have been several similar attacks on public buses and transport convoys.

Adding to the tension, the same night saw multiple coordinated insurgent attacks in different parts of the province. Reports from local media outlets indicated that militants struck in Quetta, Loralai, and Mastung, engaging security forces and targeting various installations. Though these reports remain unconfirmed in detail, Shahid Rind, spokesperson for the Balochistan government, acknowledged that attacks did occur in several locations.

“Security forces managed to repel the attacks. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported in these incidents so far,” Rind said. He also noted that targets included checkposts, police stations, banks, communication towers, and other government infrastructure.

Balochistan, which borders both Iran and Afghanistan, has long been plagued by a separatist insurgency, with various militant groups waging a violent campaign against the Pakistani state. These groups frequently target security forces, infrastructure, and at times, civilians — especially non-locals — in their fight for autonomy or independence.

The tragic loss of innocent lives once again highlights the fragile security situation in the province and the pressing need for both political and military solutions to end the ongoing cycle of violence.