At least 23 passengers were killed after being forcibly removed from buses and trucks in the Rarasham area of Balochistan’s Musakhel district, police informed Geo News on Monday.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ayub Achakzai shared details, explaining that armed assailants had blocked the inter-provincial highway to carry out the massacre.
Police and Levies forces swiftly arrived at the scene to repel the attackers, while rescuers transported the victims and the injured to the hospital, he added.
Speaking on the Geo News program “Geo Pakistan,” Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind disclosed that militants launched a coordinated attack on multiple fronts but encountered strong resistance from security forces and law enforcement agencies (LEAs).
However, Rind noted that the terrorists exploited the cover of darkness to carry out the attack in Musakhel, during which they forcibly removed passengers from the buses and shot them after confirming their identities.
Rind emphasized the provincial government’s commitment to addressing the law and order situation, mentioning that Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti had called a meeting where “important decisions” would be made.
He stated, “A comprehensive approach is needed from both the political government and security forces, with support from all segments of society, to resolve this situation.”
The Musakhel incident underscores the ongoing security challenges that Balochistan continues to face.
Pakistan has seen a rise in terrorism-related incidents since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, with most attacks occurring in provinces bordering the neighboring country, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
According to a report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), during the second quarter of this year, the country experienced 380 violence-related fatalities and 220 injuries among civilians, security personnel, and outlaws. These casualties stemmed from approximately 240 incidents, including terror attacks and counter-terrorism operations.
Due to the deteriorating security situation, the federal cabinet approved Operation Azm-e-Istehkam in June this year, a renewed national counter-terrorism initiative following the Central Apex Committee’s recommendations under the National Action Plan to eradicate terrorism.
President and PM Vow Retribution
Condemning the horrific incident, President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives, labeling the perpetrators as “enemies of the nation.” He also emphasized that those responsible for the brutal killings must be brought to justice.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, expressing his anger and grief over the Musakhel tragedy, instructed local authorities to support the bereaved families and ensure immediate medical assistance for the injured. “The terrorists responsible for the Musakhel incident will be held accountable. The fight against terrorism will continue until the scourge is completely eradicated from the country,” PM Shehbaz stated.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti also issued a strong condemnation of the incident, vowing to bring the terrorists and their facilitators to justice.
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