What Happened in Balochistan: Nine Passengers Abducted and Killed?

Islamabad, July 11 (NationPress) — In a tragic turn of events, at least nine passengers were kidnapped and subsequently murdered by unidentified assailants in Balochistan, Pakistan, as confirmed by the provincial government spokesperson on Friday.

The horrifying incident transpired near Zhob, a town situated in northern Balochistan, where armed attackers intercepted passenger buses late Thursday night. They forcibly removed passengers, executed them based on their identity checks, and shot them at a distance from the buses.

According to Shahid Rind, the spokesperson for the provincial government, “They targeted passengers from the eastern Punjab province and their bodies have been recovered.”

In response to the attack, security forces have initiated a search operation in the area to locate any remaining abducted individuals and apprehend the attackers.

There are reports suggesting that all nine victims were associated with Pakistani military intelligence and were on their way to Lahore from Quetta.

No group has taken responsibility for this horrific act as of now.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the incident, labeling it a heinous act of terrorism. “We will confront terrorists with unwavering resolve. The blood of innocent lives will be avenged. With unity and strength, we will eliminate the menace of terrorism,” stated the PM's Office.

Balochistan's Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti expressed outrage over the violence and vowed to ensure justice by holding the offenders accountable. “Every terror plan will be crushed with full force and determination,” he remarked.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) called for a “just political resolution” to the long-standing issues in Balochistan following the attack. Their statement expressed grief over the killing of the passengers who were ordered to disembark from Punjab-bound coaches and were shot near the border between Loralai and Zhob.

In a related incident last month, an explosion caused six coaches of Pakistan's Jaffar Express to derail near Jacobabad in Sindh province. The train was en route from Quetta to Peshawar at the time. The Baloch Republican Guards, a Baloch separatist group, claimed responsibility for that attack, along with targeting containers related to the Reko Diq project in Chagai, Balochistan.

“The Jaffar Express is utilized by the occupying Pakistani army for troop movement, and our future attacks will be severe,” warned their spokesperson.

The struggle for independence in Balochistan continues, with the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) asserting that Pakistan is the source of terrorism and urging global recognition of the country’s failings.