Quetta, Pakistan – Pakistani police are on the hunt for unidentified gunmen responsible for the abduction and subsequent killing of nine individuals taken from a bus on a highway in Baluchistan province on Friday. Baluchistan, a region long plagued by separatist insurgency, witnessed the tragic incident unfold as the attackers first targeted another vehicle, resulting in the deaths of two people and injuries to six others.
Deputy Commissioner Habibullah Mosakhail revealed that the armed assailants barricaded the road, intercepted the bus, and seized nine passengers hailing from Punjab province before escaping into the nearby mountains. The bodies of the victims were later discovered under a bridge, only a few miles away from the highway where the abduction occurred. The same gunmen had earlier targeted a vehicle that failed to comply with their blockade, showcasing a pattern of violence and terror.
The bus, en route from Quetta to Taftan along the border with Iran, carried 70 passengers, with one survivor recounting the harrowing experience of witnessing the abduction and subsequent gunfire from a distance. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif denounced the attack, offering his condolences to the families of the victims and vowing swift justice for the perpetrators and their accomplices.
While abduction cases are rare in Baluchistan, where militants typically focus on security forces and infrastructure, the recent incident has raised concerns about the lingering violence in the region despite government efforts to suppress the insurgency. The absence of any ransom demands or clear motives behind the attacks leaves authorities grappling with the challenge of identifying and apprehending those responsible.
As the search for the gunmen intensifies, the local community remains on edge, grappling with the aftermath of the brutal incident that has once again highlighted the volatile security situation in Baluchistan. With no immediate claim of responsibility for the heinous acts, the need for enhanced security measures and comprehensive investigations becomes increasingly apparent to prevent similar tragedies in the future.