Six Killed in Balochistan as Gunmen Attack Passenger Bus

Islamabad: Unidentified gunmen shot and killed six passengers from Punjab after stopping a Karachi-bound bus in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province, according to media reports on Thursday. The attack, which occurred in the Kalmat area of Gwadar district, is the latest in a series of violent incidents in the region.

According to Gwadar Deputy Commissioner Hamoodur Rehman, the assailants intercepted the bus overnight, forcing passengers to disembark before targeting individuals from Punjab. Five people were killed on the spot, while another succumbed to injuries later, raising the death toll to six. Additionally, reports suggest that the attackers also abducted three passengers, further intensifying security concerns in the region.

Local officials confirmed that the armed men checked the victims’ ID cards before executing them, indicating a possible ethnically motivated attack. While no group has claimed responsibility so far, such incidents in the past have been attributed to Baloch separatist groups, which have frequently targeted people from Punjab.

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least developed province, has long been plagued by violence, including insurgencies by Baloch nationalist groups demanding greater autonomy and control over the region’s resources. The province has also witnessed frequent attacks on security forces, government installations, and non-Baloch residents, particularly those from Punjab.

The brutal killing of passengers has sparked outrage, with officials vowing to track down those responsible. Authorities have intensified security measures in the region, launching search operations to locate the perpetrators and recover the kidnapped individuals.

Incidents of targeted violence in Balochistan remain a significant challenge for Pakistan’s security forces, as tensions continue to rise in the region. The attack underscores the persistent instability and highlights the dangers faced by travelers and residents alike.