At least 11 individuals, including nine bus passengers, fell victim to unknown militants in Pakistan's volatile Balochistan province, authorities confirmed on Saturday.
In the initial incident, armed assailants intercepted a bus traveling along the highway in Noshki district, forcibly taking nine men captive at gunpoint on Friday, as reported by the police.
Subsequently, the bodies of these nine individuals were discovered with gunshot wounds in the nearby mountainous regions near a bridge, according to an official statement. The bus, en route from Quetta to Taftan, was targeted by armed men who singled out passengers before leading the nine men away into the mountains.
In a separate occurrence on the same highway, a car came under fire, resulting in the deaths of two passengers and injuring two others.
Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti of Balochistan vowed that the perpetrators responsible for the 11 fatalities on the Noshki highway would face consequences and be apprehended swiftly. He emphasized that the goal was to disrupt the peace in Balochistan.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also denounced the incident, expressing solidarity with the families of the victims during this challenging time. He emphasized that such tragic events had no place in society.
While no banned group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, there has been a notable escalation in terror attacks by banned outfits and militants in Balochistan in recent weeks. Security forces and installations have been targeted in brazen assaults.
The banned Balochistan Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for three significant terror strikes in the province in recent weeks, including incidents in Mach town, Gwadar port, and a naval base in Turbat. These attacks resulted in the deaths of around 17 militants during encounters with security forces.
