Unidentified armed assailants shot and killed at least seven passengers in Balochistan’s Barkhan district late Tuesday night, confirmed Barkhan Assistant Commissioner (AC) Khadim Hussain on Wednesday morning.
The incident occurred on the National Highway in the Rarkan area, where armed men intercepted a passenger bus and fired warning shots into the air, according to AC Hussain. The attackers then boarded the bus, checked the passengers’ identity cards, and forcibly took seven individuals to a nearby mountainous area. Shortly after, gunshots were heard.
Upon arrival at the scene, local law enforcement, including the Levies force, discovered the bodies of the abducted passengers. The victims were transported to a nearby hospital in Rakni. Authorities reported that the deceased were residents of various cities in Punjab.
According to the bus service office, the vehicle was traveling from Quetta to Faisalabad and carried at least 45 passengers. One passenger, Zeeshan Mustafa from Burewala, recounted that the assailants abducted his brother after verifying his identity card. He added that the attackers, numbering between 10 and 12, were armed with Kalashnikov rifles.
In response, security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to apprehend the perpetrators. The attack also disrupted two-way traffic on the National Highway connecting Punjab and Balochistan.
Balochistan CM Condemns the Attack
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti condemned the killing, calling it a “heinous and reprehensible act.” He stated, “Terrorists are targeting innocent and unarmed civilians. This cowardly assault by the enemies of peace is intolerable, and they will face a strong response.” CM Bugti assured that the attackers would be brought to justice.
Security forces, including the FC and Levies, were deployed to the area immediately after the incident, with a government spokesperson confirming that efforts to track the perpetrators are underway. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far, and police have initiated an investigation.
Escalating Terrorist Activity in Balochistan
The Barkhan tragedy occurred just days after a terrorist attack in Harnai that claimed the lives of 11 laborers, according to Harnai Deputy Commissioner Hazrat Wali Kakar.
Data from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) highlights a 42% surge in terrorist incidents nationwide in January 2025 compared to the previous month. The think tank recorded 74 militant attacks, resulting in 91 deaths and 117 injuries. Fatalities included 35 security personnel, 20 civilians, and 36 militants, with KP and Balochistan being the worst-affected regions.
In KP’s settled districts, 27 attacks led to 19 fatalities, including 11 security personnel and six civilians. Meanwhile, the tribal districts of KP reported 19 attacks, resulting in 46 deaths, including 13 security personnel, eight civilians, and 25 militants.
The rising wave of violence underscores a growing security challenge for Pakistan, with officials pledging swift action to counter these threats.
