At least 40 people were killed in Balochistan on Monday following a series of shootings and grenade attacks across the province. The violence prompted a strong response from security forces, resulting in the elimination of 21 terrorists and several others being injured.
The day began with a devastating incident in Musakhail district, where 23 people were killed early Monday morning. Armed men intercepted trucks and buses, forcibly removing passengers before shooting them after verifying their identities. This brutal act of violence underscores the escalating security situation in Balochistan.
The attackers, who exploited the cover of darkness, set fire to approximately ten vehicles before fleeing the scene. Police and Levies forces quickly arrived at the site and began transferring the victims’ bodies to a local hospital.
Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind detailed that the militants launched coordinated attacks at multiple locations, encountering resistance from security forces. Despite this, the terrorists managed to carry out the gruesome ambush in Musakhel, targeting passengers after identifying them.
In response to this atrocity, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti convened an urgent meeting to discuss the deteriorating law and order situation in the province. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to combat the ongoing security challenges and urged all political factions and security agencies to unite against the rising tide of terrorism.
This attack is the latest in a series of escalating violence in Balochistan, a region that has been grappling with security challenges for years. The resurgence of terrorism in Pakistan, particularly after the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, has seen a marked increase in incidents, especially in provinces bordering Afghanistan, including Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Recent data from the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) highlights the grim reality of the situation. The second quarter of this year alone witnessed 380 fatalities and 220 injuries linked to violence, with 240 incidents of terrorism and counter-terrorism operations recorded. In response, the federal government approved Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, a revitalized counter-terrorism campaign aimed at eradicating terrorism from the country.
Reacting to the massacre, President Asif Ali Zardari expressed profound grief and condemned the attack, labeling the perpetrators as “enemies of the nation.” He stressed that those responsible for these brutal killings must be brought to justice.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed deep sorrow and anger over the killings, directing local authorities to extend full support to the bereaved families and ensure immediate medical aid for the injured. He vowed that the terrorists responsible for this heinous act would be punished and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continue the fight against terrorism until its complete eradication.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti strongly condemned the attack, pledging that the government would relentlessly pursue the terrorists and their facilitators to ensure they face justice. The Musakhel incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing security challenges in Balochistan and the urgent need for a unified, decisive response to counter the rising threat of terrorism in the region.
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