Balochistan, a volatile province in southwestern Pakistan, witnessed a series of deadly attacks over the past few days, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. The escalating violence has targeted both civilians and security forces, prompting a massive crackdown and raising concerns about ongoing security challenges in the region.
Gunmen Kill 11 People In Two Separate Attacks
At least 11 people were killed in two brutal attacks in Balochistan, Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan and Iran. The first attack occurred on the Quetta-Taftan Highway, where gunmen abducted nine people from a bus. According to Deputy Commissioner Habibullah Musakhel, the attackers set up a blockade on the highway, stopped the bus, and checked passengers’ ID cards. They took nine individuals from Punjab, fled into the mountains, and later killed them. The bodies were found under a bridge about five kilometers from the highway. The second attack involved the same gunmen opening fire on a car that attempted to bypass their blockade, killing two more people and wounding six others.
Clashes In Kalat Leave 10 Dead, Including Police & Levies Personnel
In Kalat, 10 people, including a police officer and four personnel from the Balochistan Levies, were killed during an exchange of fire with armed assailants. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dostin Dashti reported that the clashes erupted on Kalat’s national highway and continued into the city. Security forces responded by launching an area clearance operation, although the suspects managed to escape. The gunmen had attacked multiple sites in Balochistan on the night of August 24 and 25, resulting in retaliatory firing by law enforcement, which killed 12 terrorists. Kalat Assistant Commissioner Aftab Ahmed and a Levies man were also injured in the skirmishes, but their conditions were reported as stable.
Gunmen Kill 23 Passengers In Musakhel District
In a horrific attack in Balochistan’s Musakhel district, armed assailants forcibly removed 23 passengers from trucks and buses before fatally shooting them. The attackers, who targeted travelers along the national highway in the Rarah Sham area, also set ten vehicles on fire, adding to the chaos and violence in the region.
Railway Bridge Destroyed By Explosives In Bolan
A railway bridge in Bolan’s Dozan area was blown up in another terrorist attack, disrupting train services between Punjab, Sindh, and Quetta. The explosion not only destroyed the bridge but also damaged tracks in the Mastung and Sheikh Wasil areas. Following the blast, the Bolan Mail and Jaffer Express trains were halted, and the railway service from Quetta to Taftan was canceled. The Balochistan government spokesperson, Shahid Rind, confirmed that local administration and railway authorities were dispatched to the site. He raised suspicions that the bridge was blown up using an explosive device.
Survivor Found Alive After Being Shot In Balochistan
Munir Ahmed, a Pakistani truck driver who was initially presumed dead after being shot five times, was found alive by hospital staff amidst a wave of violence in Balochistan. Ahmed had been driving with colleagues when they were ambushed by armed men near Quetta. Ordered out of their trucks and lined up on the roadside, the drivers were shot, and their bodies were discarded into a stream. Although Ahmed suffered gunshot wounds to his arm and back, he survived the attack and was taken to the hospital, where his condition was stabilized.
Attack On Levies Station In Mastung
Armed men targeted a Levies station in Mastung, setting multiple vehicles and official records on fire. According to Levies sources, the attackers seized the station but vacated it following a security forces operation. No Levies personnel were harmed in this incident. However, a dead body of an unidentified person was found near the station, and four more bodies were discovered in the Kolpur area of Bolan, reportedly killed by gunfire.
Federal And Provincial Responses
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the series of attacks, pledging to hold the perpetrators accountable and ensure justice for the victims. He announced a review of security plans and expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue with separatist groups to find peaceful solutions. Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi echoed these sentiments, describing the attacks as a conspiracy to destabilize Pakistan. He praised the swift response by security forces, which resulted in the elimination of 12 terrorists, and vowed to continue efforts to restore peace in Balochistan.
Past Incidents Highlight Ongoing Violence
Balochistan has witnessed similar violent incidents in the past, underlining ongoing security challenges. In April, nine passengers were killed in Noshki in a similar manner when gunmen stopped a bus, checked ID cards, and executed the victims. In October of the previous year, six laborers from Punjab were fatally shot in Turbat while staying in a local contractor’s house. Another attack in 2015 saw 20 construction workers killed in a pre-dawn raid on their camp near Turbat, with the attackers targeting individuals based on ethnic backgrounds.
Authorities in Balochistan continue to monitor the law and order situation closely, implementing stricter security measures and increasing patrols in affected areas. Security forces are conducting ongoing operations to track down those responsible for the recent attacks and prevent further violence. Balochistan remains a focal point for maintaining stability, given its strategic location and history of unrest.
This is a developing story.
News Sources: Al Jazeera, The News & Aaj News.
