Gunmen in south-west Pakistan have carried out a horrific attack, killing at least 22 people after forcing them out of their vehicles and checking their identity. The incident took place overnight on a highway in Balochistan province, a region plagued by sectarian, ethnic, and separatist violence.
According to officials, the armed men singled out individuals from Punjab, shooting them before setting the vehicles on fire. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a militant group, has claimed responsibility for the attack in the Musa Khel district.
Najibullah Kakar, a senior local official, described the chilling details of the attack, stating that the militants stopped 22 vehicles and targeted those from Punjab. The BLA has stated that they were specifically targeting military personnel traveling in civilian clothes.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed deep grief and condemnation over the terrorist attack, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced in Balochistan. The province, despite its abundant resources, remains the least developed in Pakistan.
This is not the first time such a brutal attack has occurred in Balochistan. In April of this year, nine passengers were offloaded from a bus and shot dead after their IDs were checked. The BLA has also launched multiple attacks on government installations in the past 24 hours.
Several Western countries, including the UK and US, have designated the BLA as a global terrorist organization. The group has been accused of targeting Punjabis, Sindhis, and foreign energy firms operating in the region.
The situation in Balochistan remains volatile, with security forces facing ongoing challenges from various militant groups. The recent attack serves as a stark reminder of the violence and instability that continues to plague the region.
