At least 23 passengers were killed in Balochistan’s Musakhel district after being removed from buses and trucks, according to police reports on Monday. The attack occurred in the Rarasham area, where armed men blocked the inter-provincial highway and carried out the assault.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ayub Achakzai explained that the attackers used the blockade to carry out the massacre. Police and Levies forces arrived quickly to respond to the attack, and rescuers transported the injured and deceased to hospitals.
Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind stated that militants launched a coordinated assault from multiple fronts but faced strong resistance from security forces. The attackers took advantage of the darkness to pull passengers from the vehicles and execute them after checking their identities.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti is set to hold a meeting to make crucial decisions regarding the situation. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach involving both the government and security forces, supported by all sectors of society.
The Musakhel attack highlights the ongoing security issues in Balochistan. Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, Pakistan has experienced an increase in terrorism-related incidents, particularly in border provinces like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
A report from the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) indicates that in the second quarter of this year, Pakistan saw 380 fatalities and 220 injuries from 240 terror attacks and counter-terrorism operations.
In response to the escalating security concerns, the federal cabinet approved Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, a renewed national counter-terrorism campaign aimed at eliminating terrorism.
President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack, expressing sorrow for the loss of lives and calling for justice for the perpetrators. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the attack, directing local authorities to assist the families of the victims and provide medical care for the injured. He vowed that those responsible would be punished and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fighting terrorism.
Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti pledged to combat terrorism in the province, stating that the government would take all necessary measures to restore peace. He criticized those spreading propaganda and vowed to enhance the response capabilities of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and police. Bugti also emphasized that dialogue remains open for those willing to surrender for peace, but warned against allowing violence to continue. He mentioned that the government had resolved 84% of missing persons cases through a commission but noted that discussions often involve additional demands.
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